How far is Kannapolis, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Kannapolis, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 07m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kannapolis and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kannapolis and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on Cadillac Street
1401 ft · 1 min · Cadillac Street
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2
Turn right onto South Ridge Avenue
983 ft · 29 sec · South Ridge Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto West C Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · West C Street
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5
Turn right onto North Enochville Avenue
3.8 mi · 6 min · North Enochville Avenue
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Deal Road
1 km · 53 sec · Deal Road
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7
Continue on Deal Road
40 m · 3 sec · Deal Road
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8
Turn left
5.3 mi · 8 min
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Oakridge Farm Highway
1449 ft · 28 sec · Oakridge Farm Highway
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10
Continue on Oak Ridge Farm Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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11
Turn right onto Overhead Bridge Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Overhead Bridge Road
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12
Turn left onto Mazeppa Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Mazeppa Road
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13
Turn right onto Statesville Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Statesville Highway
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14
Turn straight onto Charlotte Highway
4.2 mi · 7 min · Charlotte Highway
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15
Continue on South Main Street
3.6 mi · 7 min · South Main Street
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16
Turn left onto Old Mountain Road
7.4 mi · 13 min · Old Mountain Road
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17
Take the ramp left
1014 ft · 25 sec
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18
Merge slight left
90.6 mi · 1 hr 44 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
-
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 Kannapolis 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.
Old Mountain Road
Merge slight left
90.6 mi · 01h 44m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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 82.9 miles from Kannapolis and 96 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.7 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 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.99 one way or $49.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kannapolis and Rain Showers Likely 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 Kannapolis and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 121.24 mi (195.11 km).
#1 Kannapolis
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
| Population | 52,007 |
| Coordinates | 35.4873600, -80.6217300 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| 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: 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 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.99 | $49.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.95 | $55.89 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.15 | $60.30 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.49 | $70.97 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.