How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Apex, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Apex, NC is about 271.5 miles (436.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.6 miles (348.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Apex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Apex.
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1
Start on the route
8 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Continue on Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
3.5 mi · 6 min
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5
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 32 min
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6
Take the exit slight right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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7
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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8
Keep slight left
1145 ft · 19 sec
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9
Keep slight right
1142 ft · 20 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Billy Graham Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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12
Merge slight left
157.8 mi · 3 hr
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
12.2 mi · 13 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford
1133 ft · 28 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford
26.3 mi · 32 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
1413 ft · 42 sec
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17
Turn left
10.9 mi · 15 min
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18
Keep slight left
21.8 mi · 28 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
1646 ft · 49 sec
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20
Turn right onto West Williams Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street
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21
Turn left onto Hunter Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Hunter Street
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22
Turn right onto North Salem Street
1179 ft · 40 sec · North Salem Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Apex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Billy Graham Freeway
Merge slight left
158 mi · 03h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Clear leaving Chapel Hill and Mostly Clear near Apex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Apex?
The road trip is about 271.5 miles (436.9 km) and usually takes 04h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137 miles from Chapel Hill and 134.5 miles from Apex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.6 miles (348.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:12 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.95 one way or $75.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Chapel Hill and Mostly Clear near Apex.
Stop Ideas Near Statesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Statesville.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Apex. Straight-line distance: 216.6 mi (348.58 km).
#1 Chapel Hill
Town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 63,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.9428800, -82.7087500 |
| Altitude | 658 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Apex
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 64,388 |
| Coordinates | 35.7326500, -78.8502900 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 437 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $37.95 | $75.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.43 | $84.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $45.77 | $91.55 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $53.88 | $107.76 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.