How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Spring Lake, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Spring Lake, NC is about 290.1 miles (466.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 01m 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 00m.
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 Iredell County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Spring Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Spring Lake.
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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
44.7 mi · 55 min
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16
Continue on Sanford Bypass (Don Buie Highway)
12.4 mi · 14 min · Sanford Bypass (Don Buie Highway)
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17
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 29 min
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18
Continue on Lillington Highway
33 m · 5 sec · Lillington Highway
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lillington Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Spring Lake.
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.
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.
Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers leaving Chapel Hill and Rain Showers Likely near Spring Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Spring Lake?
The road trip is about 290.1 miles (466.9 km) and usually takes 06h 00m 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?
Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145 miles from Chapel Hill and 145.2 miles from Spring Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.4 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 $40.56 one way or $81.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers around Chapel Hill and Rain Showers Likely near Spring Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Statesville
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 Statesville.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Spring Lake. Straight-line distance: 216.7 mi (348.75 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 Spring Lake
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 11,980 |
| Coordinates | 35.1679400, -78.9728100 |
| Altitude | 84 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spring Lake (-78.97281, 35.16794)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 467 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $40.56 | $81.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $45.35 | $90.71 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $48.93 | $97.85 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $57.59 | $115.18 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.