How far is Harrisburg, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.8 miles (197.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 07m 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 03h 03m.
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.
Town of the United States
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 Harrisburg and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on Plaza Drive
858 ft · 39 sec · Plaza Drive
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2
Continue on Plaza Drive
124 m · 24 sec · Plaza Drive
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3
Turn left onto Morehead Road
973 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Road
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4
Turn right onto NC Highway 49
1.4 km · 2 min · NC Highway 49
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5
Continue on University City Boulevard
1.8 mi · 2 min · University City Boulevard
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 485 North Outer
2406 ft · 59 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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8
Continue on H Allen Tate Jr Highway
7.9 mi · 8 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway
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9
Continue on Craig Lawing Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Craig Lawing Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Newton, Brookshire Boulevard
2259 ft · 55 sec
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11
Turn right onto Brookshire Boulevard
27.5 mi · 35 min · Brookshire Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Bethany Church Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Bethany Church Road
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13
Turn left onto Mount Olive Church Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Mount Olive Church Road
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14
Continue on Mt Olive Church Road
1 km · 1 min · Mt Olive Church Road
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15
Turn right
2.4 mi · 4 min
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16
Turn left onto Conover Boulevard East
1.9 mi · 3 min · Conover Boulevard East
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17
Take the ramp slight right
1193 ft · 29 sec
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18
Merge slight left
76.9 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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21
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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22
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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23
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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24
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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25
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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26
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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28
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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29
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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30
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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31
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Chapel Hill.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Conover Boulevard East
Merge slight left
76.9 mi · 01h 28m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Harrisburg and Mostly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Glen Alpine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Harrisburg and 85.6 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.8 miles (197.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.00 one way or $48.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Harrisburg and Mostly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Glen Alpine
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 Glen Alpine.
Gastonia
Spartanburg
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 122.85 mi (197.71 km).
#1 Harrisburg
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 16,852 |
| Coordinates | 35.3239500, -80.6578400 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| 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: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.00 | $48.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.84 | $53.68 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.95 | $57.91 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.08 | $68.16 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.