How far is Hickory, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Hickory, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 111 miles (178.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78 miles (125.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m 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 00m.
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.
Human settlement in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hickory and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickory and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on the route
47 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto Trade Alley
78 m · 24 sec · Trade Alley
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3
Turn left
67 m · 22 sec
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4
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Northwest
1292 ft · 43 sec · 1st Avenue Northwest
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5
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
112 m · 7 sec · 4th Street Northwest
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6
Continue on 4th Street Southwest
151 m · 14 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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7
Turn right onto 1st Avenue Southwest
1.5 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue Southwest
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8
Turn left onto 13th Street Southwest
2871 ft · 57 sec · 13th Street Southwest
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9
Turn right onto US 70 Southwest
2.5 mi · 4 min · US 70 Southwest
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10
Turn left onto I- 40 Access Road Southeast
1.2 mi · 2 min · I- 40 Access Road Southeast
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11
Take the ramp straight
1492 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left
65.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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15
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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16
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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17
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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18
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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19
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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20
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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22
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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23
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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24
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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25
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hickory 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.
I- 40 Access Road Southeast
Merge slight left
65.4 mi · 01h 15m
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.
Sunny leaving Hickory and Mostly Clear near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hickory to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 111 miles (178.7 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?
Old Fort is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.3 miles from Hickory and 54.7 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78 miles (125.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 2:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.53 one way or $31.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hickory and Mostly Clear near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Old Fort
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 Old Fort.
Spartanburg
Greenville
Gastonia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hickory and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 77.96 mi (125.46 km).
#1 Hickory
The second-largest city in Catawba County, North Carolina.
| Population | 41,473 |
| Coordinates | 35.7331900, -81.3412000 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| 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: 179 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $15.53 | $31.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $17.36 | $34.72 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $18.73 | $37.46 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $22.05 | $44.09 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.