Entering both Durham and Durham County, I-85/US 70 maintains an east–west routing north of the downtown area, along a stretch of highway dedicated to Dr. John H. Franklin. At exit 174A US 15/US 501 begins a concurrency; at exit 176B US 501 continues north along Duke Street. At exit 178 US 70 leaves I-85/US 15, which continues towards Oxford and Petersburg. Traveling on a southeasterly direction along four-lane freeway, it rejoins US 70 Bus. at Miami Boulevard and becomes an expressway. At Bethesda, Miami Boulevard (SR 1959) continues south into the Research Triangle Park, while US 70 enters Wake County along New Raleigh Highway.