How far is Hillsborough, NC from Jacksonville, NC?
The driving distance from Hillsborough, NC to Jacksonville, NC is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131 miles (210.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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 34m.
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 Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hillsborough and Jacksonville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsborough and Jacksonville.
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1
Start on West King Street
29 m · 8 sec · West King Street
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2
Turn right onto South Churton Street
1868 ft · 1 min · South Churton Street
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3
Turn left
1.3 km · 2 min
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4
Turn right onto State Highway 86
1 km · 1 min · State Highway 86
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5
Take the ramp left
944 ft · 23 sec
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6
Merge slight left
6.2 mi · 7 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
12.4 mi · 16 min · Durham Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
1.3 km · 58 sec
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9
Merge slight right
8.7 mi · 10 min
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10
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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13
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
1701 ft · 48 sec
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17
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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18
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
1.5 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
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19
Turn right
5.1 mi · 7 min
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20
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Hallsville Road
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21
Turn right onto Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Jackson Store Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn left
14.4 mi · 21 min
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23
Merge slight left onto Richlands Highway
5 mi · 8 min · Richlands Highway
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24
Turn left
132 m · 8 sec
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25
Turn slight right onto Richlands Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway
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26
Continue on South Marine Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Marine Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Marine Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hillsborough and Jacksonville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 01h 04m
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 Hillsborough and Sunny near Jacksonville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hillsborough to Jacksonville?
The road trip is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Newton Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.6 miles from Hillsborough and 79.5 miles from Jacksonville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131 miles (210.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 1:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.10 one way or $44.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hillsborough and Sunny near Jacksonville.
Stop Ideas Near Newton Grove
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 Newton Grove.
Selma–Smithfield
Goldsboro, NC
Fayetteville
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hillsborough and Jacksonville. Straight-line distance: 131.04 mi (210.89 km).
#1 Hillsborough
Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,226 |
| Coordinates | 36.0754200, -79.0997300 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jacksonville
The most populous city in Onslow County, North Carolina.
| Population | 76,284 |
| Coordinates | 34.7540500, -77.4302400 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Marine Boulevard (-77.43026, 34.754117)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.10 | $44.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.71 | $49.43 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.66 | $53.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.38 | $62.76 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.