How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Elizabeth City, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Elizabeth City, NC is about 120.5 miles (193.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m 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 39m.
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.
Township in Henderson County, North Carolina
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 Elizabeth City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Elizabeth 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
Continue on Shelby Bypass
10.1 mi · 12 min · Shelby Bypass
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17
Merge slight left onto Cherryville Road
8 m · 1 sec · Cherryville Road
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Cherryville Road
134 m · 6 sec · Cherryville Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Post Road
70 m · 3 sec · North Post Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto North Post Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Post Road
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21
Turn right onto Crystal Lane
129 m · 19 sec · Crystal Lane
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Crystal Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Elizabeth City?
The road trip is about 120.5 miles (193.9 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Barker Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.2 miles from Chapel Hill and 60.3 miles from Elizabeth City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 1:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.83 one way or $33.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Chapel Hill and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth City.
Stop Ideas Near Barker Heights
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 Barker Heights.
Greenville
Spartanburg
Clemson
Toccoa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Elizabeth City. Straight-line distance: 81.81 mi (131.66 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 Elizabeth City
City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina
| Population | 17,751 |
| Coordinates | 35.2929100, -81.4912000 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elizabeth City (-81.4912, 35.29291)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.83 | $33.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.82 | $37.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.31 | $40.61 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
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.