How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Kannapolis, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Kannapolis, NC is about 166.7 miles (268.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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 03h 49m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Kannapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Kannapolis.
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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
90.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Old Mountain Road
1038 ft · 27 sec
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14
Turn right onto Old Mountain Road
7.3 mi · 13 min · Old Mountain Road
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15
Turn right onto North Main Street
3.7 mi · 7 min · North Main Street
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16
Continue on Charlotte Highway
4.1 mi · 7 min · Charlotte Highway
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17
Continue on Statesville Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Statesville Highway
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18
Turn left onto Mazeppa Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Mazeppa Road
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19
Turn right onto Overhead Bridge Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Overhead Bridge Road
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20
Turn left onto Oak Ridge Farm Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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21
Continue on Oakridge Farm Highway
1449 ft · 30 sec · Oakridge Farm Highway
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22
Turn right onto Landis Highway
5.3 mi · 8 min · Landis Highway
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23
Turn right onto Deal Road
1 km · 57 sec · Deal Road
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24
Turn left onto North Enochville Avenue
3.8 mi · 6 min · North Enochville Avenue
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25
Turn left onto West C Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · West C Street
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26
Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
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27
Turn right onto South Ridge Avenue
983 ft · 32 sec · South Ridge Avenue
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28
Turn left onto Cadillac Street
1401 ft · 1 min · Cadillac Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Kannapolis.
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
90.4 mi · 01h 44m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Chapel Hill and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kannapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Kannapolis?
The road trip is about 166.7 miles (268.2 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Glen Alpine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.3 miles from Chapel Hill and 83.4 miles from Kannapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.5 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 9:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.29 one way or $46.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Chapel Hill and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kannapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Glen Alpine
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 Glen Alpine.
Gastonia
Spartanburg
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Kannapolis. Straight-line distance: 121.24 mi (195.11 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 Kannapolis
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
| Population | 52,007 |
| Coordinates | 35.4873600, -80.6217300 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kannapolis (-80.62173, 35.48736)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.04 | $52.09 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.09 | $56.19 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.