How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Fuquay-Varina, NC?

The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Fuquay-Varina, NC is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 220.5 miles (354.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
285.07 mi
05h 57m
Flight
220.52 mi
354.9 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chapel Hill.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
220.52 mi
Kilometers
354.9 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
285.07 mi
Kilometers
458.77 km
Drive Time
05h 57m

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 05h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fuquay-Varina
Sat, May 2, 1:07 PM EDT
Return by in Chapel Hill
Sat, May 2, 7:05 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chapel Hill
2026-05-02T07:10
Arrive Fuquay-Varina
Sat, May 2, 1:07 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:58 AM to 1:58 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:04 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chapel Hill
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Statesville
NC

City in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States

From Chapel Hill
142.4 mi
02h 58m
To Fuquay-Varina
142.7 mi
02h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph NNW
Destination
63°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Fuquay-Varina.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Fuquay-Varina.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    8 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

    1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Guntertown Road

    2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left

    3.5 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    20.9 mi · 32 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    1145 ft · 19 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    1142 ft · 20 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Billy Graham Freeway

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Billy Graham Freeway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    157.8 mi · 3 hr

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham

    12.2 mi · 13 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford

    1133 ft · 28 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford

    26.3 mi · 32 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro

    1413 ft · 42 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    10.9 mi · 15 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    21 mi · 27 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South

    2827 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    4.8 mi · 5 min · Triangle Expressway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 55 East: Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina

    2086 ft · 44 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    7.1 mi · 11 min

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Wake Chapel Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Wake Chapel Road

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    1555 ft · 55 sec · North Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West Academy Street

    18 m · 2 sec · West Academy Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Fuquay-Varina.

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
26 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Billy Graham Freeway
163 mi · 57%
Guntertown Road
31.6 mi · 11%
US 421 South
26.3 mi · 9%
US 64
21.3 mi · 7%
I 73 South
12.2 mi · 4%
NC 55 East
7.54 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+64.6 mi
220.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Statesville
02h 58m from Chapel Hill
Leave By
5:04 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers leaving Chapel Hill and Rain Showers Likely near Fuquay-Varina.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Fuquay-Varina?

The road trip is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km) and usually takes 05h 57m 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 142.4 miles from Chapel Hill and 142.7 miles from Fuquay-Varina.

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

The direct path is about 220.5 miles (354.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.6 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 5:04 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.85 one way or $79.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers around Chapel Hill and Rain Showers Likely near Fuquay-Varina.

Stop Ideas Near Statesville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Statesville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Kannapolis

39 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Salisbury

41 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

58 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
RAIL

Charlotte

60 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Fuquay-Varina. Straight-line distance: 220.52 mi (354.9 km).

Chapel Hill

#1 Chapel Hill

Town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States

Population63,705
Coordinates35.9428800, -82.7087500
Altitude658
CountryUnited States
Fuquay-Varina

#2 Fuquay-Varina

City in North Carolina

Population32,145
Coordinates35.5843200, -78.8000100
Altitude119
CountryUnited States
Start: Chapel Hill (-82.70875, 35.94288)
End: Fuquay-Varina (-78.80001, 35.58432)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 459 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.06 gal
38.08 L · about $39.85
Round trip
$79.70
20.12 gal · 76.16 L
Estimated CO2
89.4 kg one way
Round trip: 178.8 kg / 394 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $39.85 $79.70
Mid-grade $4.43 $44.56 $89.11
Premium $4.78 $48.07 $96.13
Diesel $5.62 $56.58 $113.15

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Chapel Hill and Fuquay-Varina. The current time is 07:10:03.

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.