How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Hickory, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Hickory, NC is about 113.6 miles (182.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78 miles (125.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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 34m.
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.
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 Hickory.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Hickory.
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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
65.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Hildebran
1646 ft · 56 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Center Street
62 m · 6 sec · South Center Street
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15
Continue on South Center Street
57 m · 7 sec · South Center Street
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16
Turn right onto I- 40 Access Road Southeast
1.2 mi · 2 min · I- 40 Access Road Southeast
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17
At the end of the road, turn right
2.5 mi · 4 min
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18
Turn left onto 13th Street Southwest
2603 ft · 56 sec · 13th Street Southwest
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19
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
1.1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue Southwest
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20
Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest
655 ft · 29 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
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21
Continue on 3rd Street Northwest
127 m · 21 sec · 3rd Street Northwest
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22
Turn right onto Trade Alley
103 m · 30 sec · Trade Alley
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23
Turn left
47 m · 11 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Hickory.
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
65.4 mi · 01h 15m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving Chapel Hill and Sunny near Hickory.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Hickory?
The road trip is about 113.6 miles (182.9 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Montreat is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.8 miles from Chapel Hill and 56.9 miles from Hickory.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78 miles (125.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.88 one way or $31.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Chapel Hill and Sunny near Hickory.
Stop Ideas Near Montreat
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 Montreat.
Spartanburg
Greenville
Gastonia
Clemson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Hickory. Straight-line distance: 77.96 mi (125.46 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 Hickory
The second-largest city in Catawba County, North Carolina.
| Population | 41,473 |
| Coordinates | 35.7331900, -81.3412000 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hickory (-81.3412, 35.73319)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 183 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $15.88 | $31.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $17.76 | $35.52 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $19.16 | $38.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $22.55 | $45.10 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.