How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Morehead City, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Morehead City, NC is about 430.8 miles (693.3 km), with a travel time of about 08h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 347.5 miles (559.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 50m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Guilford County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Morehead City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Morehead 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 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
157.8 mi · 3 hr
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
12.2 mi · 13 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford
1133 ft · 28 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford
26.3 mi · 32 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
1413 ft · 42 sec
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17
Turn left
10.9 mi · 15 min
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18
Keep slight left
21 mi · 27 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South
2827 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway
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21
Keep slight left
1648 ft · 40 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 42 East: Smithfield
2526 ft · 1 min
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23
Merge slight left onto Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8.7 mi · 9 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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24
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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25
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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26
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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27
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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28
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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29
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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30
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
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31
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.8 mi · 50 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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32
Turn left onto North 18th Street
57 m · 8 sec · North 18th Street
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33
Turn right
75 m · 18 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Morehead City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chapel Hill and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Morehead City?
The road trip is about 430.8 miles (693.3 km) and usually takes 08h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Forest Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 215.2 miles from Chapel Hill and 215.6 miles from Morehead City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 347.5 miles (559.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 83.3 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.21 one way or $120.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 135.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chapel Hill and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Stop Ideas Near Forest Oaks
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 Forest Oaks.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Morehead City. Straight-line distance: 347.53 mi (559.3 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 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Morehead City (-76.72604, 34.72294)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 693 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $60.21 | $120.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $67.32 | $134.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $72.63 | $145.25 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $85.48 | $170.97 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.