How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Smithfield, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Smithfield, NC is about 310.7 miles (500.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 246.9 miles (397.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 52m 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 06h 26m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Smithfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Smithfield.
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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
8.3 mi · 9 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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24
Take the exit slight right
2873 ft · 1 min
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25
Turn right
7.5 mi · 13 min
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Smithfield.
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 Smithfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Smithfield?
The road trip is about 310.7 miles (500.1 km) and usually takes 06h 26m 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?
Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.2 miles from Chapel Hill and 155.5 miles from Smithfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 246.9 miles (397.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.8 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 $43.45 one way or $86.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chapel Hill and Mostly Sunny near Smithfield.
Stop Ideas Near Mocksville
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 Mocksville.
Salisbury
Lexington
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Smithfield. Straight-line distance: 246.89 mi (397.33 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 Smithfield
County seat of Johnston County, North Carolina
| Population | 13,333 |
| Coordinates | 35.5084900, -78.3394500 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Smithfield (-78.33945, 35.50849)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 500 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $43.45 | $86.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $48.59 | $97.17 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $52.41 | $104.83 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $61.70 | $123.39 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.