How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Durham, NC is about 258.4 miles (415.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.1 miles (342.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 14m 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 07m.
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.
Human settlement in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Durham.
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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 right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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14
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
156 m · 13 sec
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19
Continue on Morehead Avenue
854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
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20
Turn left onto South Roxboro Street
1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street
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21
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Durham.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Chapel Hill and Rain Showers Likely near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Durham?
The road trip is about 258.4 miles (415.8 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Catawba is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.7 miles from Chapel Hill and 127.8 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.1 miles (342.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.12 one way or $72.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Chapel Hill and Rain Showers Likely near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Catawba
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 Catawba.
Kannapolis
Gastonia
Salisbury
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Durham. Straight-line distance: 213.08 mi (342.92 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 Durham
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
| Population | 285,897 |
| Coordinates | 35.9940300, -78.8986200 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 416 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $36.12 | $72.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $40.39 | $80.78 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.58 | $87.15 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $51.29 | $102.58 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.