How far is Bessemer City, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?

The driving distance from Bessemer City, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 130.3 miles (209.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 92 miles (148.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
130.29 mi
02h 24m
Flight
92.04 mi
148.13 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bessemer City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
92.04 mi
Kilometers
148.13 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.29 mi
Kilometers
209.68 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chapel Hill
Sun, Apr 19, 8:11 AM EDT
Return by in Bessemer City
Sun, Apr 19, 10:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bessemer City
2026-04-19T05:47
Arrive Chapel Hill
Sun, Apr 19, 8:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bessemer City
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Saluda
NC

Human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America

From Bessemer City
66.7 mi
01h 12m
To Chapel Hill
63.6 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W
Destination
60°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bessemer City and Chapel Hill.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bessemer City and Chapel Hill.

  1. 1

    Start on North 12th Street

    13 m · 5 sec · North 12th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Virginia Avenue

    662 ft · 19 sec · West Virginia Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    85 m · 7 sec · South 13th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Pennsylvania Avenue

    3.1 mi · 5 min · West Pennsylvania Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Cleveland Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward NC 161: Bessemer City

    1473 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on East Dixon Boulevard

    12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard

  10. 10

    Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard

    15.7 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

    18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

    37.8 mi · 46 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Westgate

    920 ft · 16 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Patton Avenue

    821 ft · 14 sec · Patton Avenue

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward Westgate

    48 m · 3 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway

    1502 ft · 26 sec · Billy Graham Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight left toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill

    8.4 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall

    21.3 mi · 33 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    3.5 mi · 6 min

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Guntertown Road

    2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Chapel Hill Road

    1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road

  22. 22

    Turn left

    8 m · 2 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bessemer City and Chapel Hill.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
39.6 mi · 30%
US 25 North
24.8 mi · 19%
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 14%
West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi · 12%
East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi · 9%
I 26 West
8.44 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

37.8 mi · 00h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.3 mi
92 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saluda
01h 12m from Bessemer City
Leave By
1:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Bessemer City and Rain Showers Likely near Chapel Hill.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bessemer City to Chapel Hill?

The road trip is about 130.3 miles (209.7 km) and usually takes 02h 24m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Saluda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.7 miles from Bessemer City and 63.6 miles from Chapel Hill.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 92 miles (148.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.22 one way or $36.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Bessemer City and Rain Showers Likely near Chapel Hill.

Stop Ideas Near Saluda

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Saluda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall of Tryon
Scenic stop 7.5 mi away

Town Hall of Tryon

Tryon , NC
301 N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Business park,Park
City of Saluda
Meeting point 1.9 mi away

City of Saluda

Saluda , NC
6 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office
Town of Mills River
Nearby stop 13.7 mi away

Town of Mills River

Mills River , NC
124 Town Center Dr, Mills River, NC 28759
Rating 4.4/5 14 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saluda.

RAIL

Greenville

43 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Spartanburg

49 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Clemson

75 mi away
Calhoun Memorial Hwy and College Ave.
RAIL

Gastonia

108 mi away
350 Hancock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bessemer City and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 92.04 mi (148.13 km).

Bessemer City

#1 Bessemer City

City in North Carolina, United States

Population5,577
Coordinates35.2848600, -81.2839700
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Chapel Hill

#2 Chapel Hill

Town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States

Population63,705
Coordinates35.9428800, -82.7087500
Altitude658
CountryUnited States
Start: North 12th Street (-81.283876, 35.284843)
End: (-82.708707, 35.942917)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.6 gal
17.4 L · about $18.22
Round trip
$36.44
9.2 gal · 34.8 L
Estimated CO2
40.9 kg one way
Round trip: 81.8 kg / 180 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.22 $36.44
Mid-grade $4.43 $20.37 $40.75
Premium $4.78 $21.98 $43.96
Diesel $5.62 $25.87 $51.74

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Carolina · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Bessemer City and Chapel Hill. The current time is 05:47:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.