How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Bessemer City, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Bessemer City, NC is about 133.3 miles (214.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92 miles (148.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Bessemer City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Bessemer City.
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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 right to continue on I 26 East, US 74A West: West Asheville
1238 ft · 21 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway
2585 ft · 44 sec · Billy Graham Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
26.2 mi · 32 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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17
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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18
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 161: Bessemer City
1090 ft · 27 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on NC 161 North: Bessemer City
32 m · 3 sec
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21
Turn left onto Cleveland Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Avenue
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22
Continue on Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Highway
3.1 mi · 5 min · Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Highway
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23
Turn left onto South 13th Street
54 m · 3 sec · South 13th Street
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24
Turn slight right
45 m · 5 sec
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25
Turn straight onto West Virginia Avenue
564 ft · 17 sec · West Virginia Avenue
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26
Turn left onto North 12th Street
13 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Bessemer City.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
26.2 mi · 00h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Chapel Hill and Chance Rain Showers near Bessemer City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Bessemer City?
The road trip is about 133.3 miles (214.5 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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 66.6 miles from Chapel Hill and 66.7 miles from Bessemer City.
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 41.3 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 12:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.62 one way or $37.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Chapel Hill and Chance Rain Showers near Bessemer City.
Stop Ideas Near Saluda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall of Tryon
City of Saluda
Town of Mills River
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saluda.
Greenville
Spartanburg
Clemson
Gastonia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Bessemer City. Straight-line distance: 92.04 mi (148.13 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 Bessemer City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,577 |
| Coordinates | 35.2848600, -81.2839700 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bessemer City (-81.28397, 35.28486)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 215 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.62 | $37.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.46 | $44.91 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.43 | $52.87 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.