Research Triangle Park FAQs

Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the leading and largest high technology research and science park in North America. Founded in 1959, this 7,000-acre namesake for the entire Triangle region is two miles wide and eight miles long. Research Triangle Park is based in Durham with an extension now spilling into Wake County toward Cary and Morrisville.

RTP FAQs

What is RTP known for?

RTP is the largest and longest-running research park in North America. 2024 marked its 65th anniversary. Since its beginning, businesses in the park have produced many groundbreaking innovations including Astroturf, the UPC code, the antiretroviral drug AZT, 3D Ultrasound, and many more.

How old is RTP?

Originally envisioned by UNC's Howard W. Odum and fostered by the administration of Durham native Governor William Umstead, the park was developed by the Research Triangle Foundation in 1959.

What is the Research Triangle?

Also known as The Triangle, The Research Triangle represents the incredible innovation and advancement achieved at the area's three Tier 1 research universities: Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The three original universities are joined by Durham's North Carolina Central University (located less than two miles from RTP), playing a major role as home to the Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise (BRITE) Center for Excellence.

How Many Companies are in RTP?

There are more than 375 companies and counting in RTP, offering more than 60,000 jobs.

What types of companies are in RTP?

Today, RTP is surrounded by a variety of other Durham business and corporate parks populated by pharmaceutical, microelectronic, biotechnology, telecommunications, and textile businesses, to name a few.

Where in North Carolina is RTP?

Most of RTP lies in Durham County. It's two hours west of the coast and a few hours from the mountains. It's just off Interstate 40, minutes from RDU International Airport.

Is RTP a City?

RTP is not a city, but a collection of business campuses intentionally planned to preserve parks and green spaces. It has a special Durham postal substation - Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, which exists in a special county district, serviced by Durham utilities. HUB RTP is a planned development that will create a dense "downtown" with hotels, residential, retail and community space along with office and lab space.

How Can Visitors Experience RTP?

With the addition of Boxyard RTP, where guests can dine, shop, drink and attend events, plus miles of walking trails, Topgolf and top-tier dining throughout the park, there's plenty for visitors to experience in RTP. There are also plenty of opportunities for businesses to feel the energy of innovation by scheduling meetings at several rentable spaces throughout the park.

Explore the nearby area using our Guide to RTP and South Durham.