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Nothing cleaner nearby

Durham is breathing 3.2 cigarettes a week

10.1
PM2.5 µg/m³
53
AQI
5.1
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Durham Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Raleigh
Cel-shaded illustration of Raleigh
#1RaleighPM2.5 10.5~35 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 10.5 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 10.5 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.5/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Greensboro
Cel-shaded illustration of Greensboro
#2GreensboroPM2.5 14.3~1 h 10 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 14.3 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 14.3 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Durham

42% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Fayetteville
Cel-shaded illustration of Fayetteville
#3FayettevillePM2.5 17Checking road route

North Carolina· PM2.5 17 µg/m³

North Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 17 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 17/22 × 7 = 5.4 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Durham

68% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Winston-Salem
Cel-shaded illustration of Winston-Salem
#4Winston-SalemPM2.5 18.6~1 h 35 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 18.6 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 18.6 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Durham

84% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Chapel Hill
Cel-shaded illustration of Chapel Hill
#5Chapel HillParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Butner
Cel-shaded illustration of Butner
#6ButnerParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Morrisville
Cel-shaded illustration of Morrisville
#7MorrisvilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Hillsborough
Cel-shaded illustration of Hillsborough
#8HillsboroughParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Green Level
Cel-shaded illustration of Green Level
#9Green LevelParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Creedmoor
Cel-shaded illustration of Creedmoor
#10CreedmoorParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Cary
Cel-shaded illustration of Cary
#11CaryParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Briar Chapel
Cel-shaded illustration of Briar Chapel
#12Briar ChapelParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Wilmington
Cel-shaded illustration of Wilmington
#13WilmingtonPM2.5 8.4~2 h 55 min drivesaves 0.5 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 8.4 µg/m³

Atlantic riverfront city with beach access and coastal lodging southeast of Raleigh.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.4 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.4/22 × 7 = 2.7 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
17% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Richmond
Cel-shaded illustration of Richmond
#14RichmondPM2.5 13~2 h 50 min drive

Virginia· PM2.5 13 µg/m³

A major Virginia city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 13 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13/22 × 7 = 4.1 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Durham

29% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Charlotte
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlotte
#15CharlottePM2.5 13.8~2 h 45 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 13.8 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 13.8 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.8/22 × 7 = 4.4 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Durham

37% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Saint Pauls
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Pauls
#16Saint PaulsParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Warsaw
Cel-shaded illustration of Warsaw
#17WarsawParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Chincoteague
Cel-shaded illustration of Chincoteague
#18ChincoteaguePM2.5 5.1~6 h 20 min drivesaves 1.6 cigs/wk

Virginia· PM2.5 5.1 µg/m³

Barrier-island town beside Assateague's wild beaches on Virginia's Eastern Shore, wrapped by bay and ocean air with plentiful lodging.

50% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.1 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.1/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Durham right now

50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Nags Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Nags Head
#19Nags HeadPM2.5 5.5~4 h 25 min drivesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on the barrier islands, exposed to constant Atlantic wind, with cottages and hotels along the shore.

46% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Durham right now

46% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Kill Devil Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Kill Devil Hills
#20Kill Devil HillsPM2.5 5.5~4 h 35 min drivesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on a narrow Atlantic barrier island, swept by open-ocean wind, with oceanfront rentals and hotels.

46% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 10.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Durham right now

46% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Durham

Phew.

3.2cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

10.1 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 10.1 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →