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2 cleaner spots within a 3-hour drive

Greensboro is breathing 4.5 cigarettes a week

14.3
PM2.5 µg/m³
61
AQI
5.1
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
See the 2 cleaner spots

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.

Durham looks like the better move.29% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 10 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Greensboro Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Durham
Cel-shaded illustration of Durham
#1DurhamPM2.5 10.1~1 h 10 min drivesaves 1.3 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 10.1 µg/m³

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

29% cleaner than home — pack the car.

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

4.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Greensboro right now

29% 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.

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Raleigh
Cel-shaded illustration of Raleigh
#2RaleighPM2.5 10.5~1 h 35 min drivesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

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.

27% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 10.5 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.5/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Greensboro right now

27% 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
Charlotte
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlotte
#3CharlottePM2.5 13.8~1 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.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 13.8 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.8/22 × 7 = 4.4 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
3% 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
Winston-Salem
Cel-shaded illustration of Winston-Salem
#4Winston-SalemPM2.5 18.6~35 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 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Greensboro

30% 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
Jamestown
Cel-shaded illustration of Jamestown
#5JamestownParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Summerfield
Cel-shaded illustration of Summerfield
#6SummerfieldParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Oak Ridge
Cel-shaded illustration of Oak Ridge
#7Oak RidgeParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Gibsonville
Cel-shaded illustration of Gibsonville
#8GibsonvilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
High Point
Cel-shaded illustration of High Point
#9High PointParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Archdale
Cel-shaded illustration of Archdale
#10ArchdaleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Stokesdale
Cel-shaded illustration of Stokesdale
#11StokesdaleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Kernersville
Cel-shaded illustration of Kernersville
#12KernersvilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.5 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
Banner Elk
Cel-shaded illustration of Banner Elk
#13Banner ElkPM2.5 11.1Checking road routesaves 1.0 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 11.1 µg/m³

High-country ski town near 3,700 feet between Grandfather and Beech mountains, with cool alpine air.

22% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Greensboro right now

22% 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
Lexington
Cel-shaded illustration of Lexington
#14LexingtonPM2.5 14.6Checking road route

Virginia· PM2.5 14.6 µg/m³

Shenandoah Valley college town set between two mountain ranges, with a compact base of inns and B&Bs.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 14.6 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 14.6/22 × 7 = 4.6 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
2% worse 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
Still smoky
Fayetteville
Cel-shaded illustration of Fayetteville
#15FayettevillePM2.5 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 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 17/22 × 7 = 5.4 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Greensboro

19% 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
Boone
Cel-shaded illustration of Boone
#16BoonePM2.5 19.4~2 h 25 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 19.4 µg/m³

Blue Ridge college town near 3,300 feet in North Carolina's High Country, with cool mountain air and abundant lodging.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 19.4 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 19.4/22 × 7 = 6.2 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Greensboro

36% worse 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
Still smoky
Blowing Rock
Cel-shaded illustration of Blowing Rock
#17Blowing RockPM2.5 25.7~2 h 40 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 25.7 µg/m³

Village perched on the Blue Ridge escarpment near 4,000 feet, with cool high-elevation air and historic inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 25.7 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 25.7/22 × 7 = 8.2 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Greensboro

80% worse 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
Chincoteague
Cel-shaded illustration of Chincoteague
#18ChincoteaguePM2.5 5.1~7 h 20 min drivesaves 2.9 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.

64% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.1 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.1/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Greensboro right now

64% 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 5.5~5 h 30 min drivesaves 2.8 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.

62% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Greensboro right now

62% 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 5.5~5 h 40 min drivesaves 2.8 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.

62% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 14.3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Greensboro right now

62% 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 · Greensboro

Phew.

4.5cigarettes

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.

14.3 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 14.3 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →