How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Orange County, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Orange County, NC is about 249.2 miles (401 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 200.7 miles (323 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 13m 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 05h 06m.
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.
City in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Orange County.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Orange County.
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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 right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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14
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
1.5 mi · 2 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Old NC 86: Hillsborough
1280 ft · 40 sec
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18
Turn left onto South Churton Street
158 m · 20 sec · South Churton Street
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19
Take the ramp left toward I 85 South, NC 86 North: Greensboro
1169 ft · 29 sec
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20
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 50 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Orange County.
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
158 mi · 03h 00m
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.
Sunny leaving Chapel Hill and Sunny near Orange County.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Orange County?
The road trip is about 249.2 miles (401 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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?
Claremont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.4 miles from Chapel Hill and 124.7 miles from Orange County.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 200.7 miles (323 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.5 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 6:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.00 one way or $66.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chapel Hill and Sunny near Orange County.
Stop Ideas Near Claremont
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 Claremont.
Gastonia
Kannapolis
Charlotte
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Orange County. Straight-line distance: 200.72 mi (323.03 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 Orange County
County in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 149,077 |
| Coordinates | 36.0613000, -79.1206000 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Orange County (-79.1206, 36.0613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 401 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $33.00 | $66.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $40.65 | $81.31 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $50.27 | $100.54 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026