How far is Chapel Hill, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Chapel Hill, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 179 miles (288.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Burke County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem.
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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
134 mi · 2 hr 32 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
2800 ft · 37 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
582 ft · 14 sec
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16
Continue on High Street Southwest
140 m · 15 sec · High Street Southwest
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17
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
1223 ft · 27 sec · Cherry Street South
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18
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
901 ft · 25 sec · West 2nd Street
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19
Turn left onto North Main Street
1314 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem.
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
134 mi · 02h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Chapel Hill and Partly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chapel Hill to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 179 miles (288.1 km) and usually takes 02h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91 miles from Chapel Hill and 88 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.03 one way or $50.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Chapel Hill and Partly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Salem
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Casar Park, Town Hall, & Veterans Memorial
Town of Valdese
Morganton Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Salem.
Gastonia
Spartanburg
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 138.15 mi (222.33 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 Winston-Salem
The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
| Population | 248,112 |
| Coordinates | 36.0998600, -80.2442200 |
| Altitude | 293 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.03 | $50.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.99 | $55.98 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.20 | $60.39 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.54 | $71.09 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.