How far is Elizabeth City, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Elizabeth City, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 117 miles (188.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 09m.
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 Henderson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth City and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on Crystal Lane
129 m · 23 sec · Crystal Lane
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2
Turn left onto North Post Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Post Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cherryville Road
6 m · 1 sec · Cherryville Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Cherryville Road
1224 ft · 16 sec · Cherryville Road
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Cherryville Road
34 m · 1 sec · Cherryville Road
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Asheville
1451 ft · 36 sec
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7
Continue on Shelby Bypass
10.3 mi · 12 min · Shelby Bypass
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8
Continue on West Dixon Boulevard
14.8 mi · 17 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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9
Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
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10
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
37.8 mi · 46 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Westgate
920 ft · 16 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Patton Avenue
821 ft · 14 sec · Patton Avenue
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13
Take the ramp straight toward Westgate
48 m · 3 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway
1502 ft · 26 sec · Billy Graham Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill
8.4 mi · 11 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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17
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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18
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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19
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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20
Turn left
8 m · 2 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 Elizabeth City and Chapel Hill.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
37.8 mi · 00h 46m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Elizabeth City and Rain Showers Likely near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth City to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 117 miles (188.3 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Barker Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.4 miles from Elizabeth City and 56.6 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 2:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.36 one way or $32.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Elizabeth City and Rain Showers Likely near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Barker Heights
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall of Tryon
City of Saluda
Town of Mills River
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Barker Heights.
Greenville
Spartanburg
Clemson
Toccoa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth City and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 81.81 mi (131.66 km).
#1 Elizabeth City
City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina
| Population | 17,751 |
| Coordinates | 35.2929100, -81.4912000 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chapel Hill
Town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 63,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.9428800, -82.7087500 |
| Altitude | 658 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-82.708707, 35.942917)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.36 | $32.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $19.73 | $39.47 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.23 | $46.45 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.