How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Matthews, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Matthews, NC is about 171.9 miles (276.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m 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 47m.
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 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Matthews.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Matthews.
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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
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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17
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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18
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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19
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
572 ft · 8 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
1.3 km · 56 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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22
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi · 10 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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23
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
1104 ft · 27 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
118 m · 11 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Brookshire Boulevard
1677 ft · 22 sec · Brookshire Boulevard
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26
Continue on Brookshire Freeway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Brookshire Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight left toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
2261 ft · 55 sec
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28
Merge slight right onto East Independence Expressway
3.3 mi · 4 min · East Independence Expressway
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29
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard
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30
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway
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31
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard
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32
Continue on Independence Boulevard
1.5 km · 1 min · Independence Boulevard
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33
Turn right onto Sam Newell Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sam Newell Road
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34
Continue on North Trade Street
2668 ft · 1 min · North Trade Street
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35
Turn right onto West John Street
149 m · 19 sec · West John Street
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36
Turn right onto North Freemont Street
4 m · 1 sec · North Freemont Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Freemont Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Matthews.
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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chapel Hill and Sunny near Matthews.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Matthews?
The road trip is about 171.9 miles (276.7 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?
Rutherfordton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Chapel Hill and 86 miles from Matthews.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 9:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.04 one way or $48.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chapel Hill and Sunny near Matthews.
Stop Ideas Near Rutherfordton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall of Tryon
Town of Rutherfordton
Chesnee City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rutherfordton.
Spartanburg
Greenville
Gastonia
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Matthews. Straight-line distance: 125.36 mi (201.75 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 Matthews
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 33,718 |
| Coordinates | 35.1168100, -80.7236800 |
| Altitude | 222 |
| Country | United States |
End: Matthews (-80.72368, 35.11681)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
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.