How far is Kinston, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Kinston, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 363.3 miles (584.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 291.8 miles (469.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 57m 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 05h 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kinston and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kinston and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 13 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Walls Street
51 m · 10 sec · Walls Street
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3
Turn right onto West North Street
75 m · 18 sec · West North Street
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4
Turn left onto North Herritage Street
1290 ft · 50 sec · North Herritage Street
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5
Turn right onto Old Pink Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Pink Hill Road
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6
Turn right onto West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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7
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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8
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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9
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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12
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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15
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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16
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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17
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 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 Kinston and Chapel Hill.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153 mi · 02h 54m
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.
Sunny leaving Kinston and Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kinston to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 363.3 miles (584.7 km) and usually takes 05h 58m 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?
Winston-Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 182.4 miles from Kinston and 180.8 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 291.8 miles (469.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.5 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 5:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.78 one way or $101.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kinston and Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
High Point
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kinston and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 291.8 mi (469.61 km).
#1 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 585 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $50.78 | $101.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $56.78 | $113.56 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $61.25 | $122.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $72.10 | $144.20 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.