How far is Lincolnton, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Lincolnton, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.8 miles (141.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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 18m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincolnton and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincolnton and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on East Pine Street
2488 ft · 1 min · East Pine Street
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2
Turn right onto North Grove Street
2233 ft · 53 sec · North Grove Street
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3
Continue on Reepsville Road
10.5 mi · 15 min · Reepsville Road
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4
Turn right onto Cat Square Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · Cat Square Road
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5
Continue on Rhoney Farm Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Rhoney Farm Road
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6
Turn right onto Old Shelby Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Old Shelby Road
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7
Turn left onto Brittian Road
3208 ft · 50 sec · Brittian Road
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8
Continue on Old Laurel Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Old Laurel Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Miller Bridge Road
97 m · 10 sec · Miller Bridge Road
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10
Turn right onto NC 18 South
8.6 mi · 12 min · NC 18 South
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11
Continue on South Sterling Street
1869 ft · 41 sec · South Sterling Street
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12
Turn left
1367 ft · 19 sec
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13
Merge slight left
51.6 mi · 59 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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16
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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17
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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18
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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19
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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20
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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21
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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23
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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24
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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25
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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26
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincolnton 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.
South Sterling Street
Merge slight left
51.6 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Lincolnton 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 Lincolnton to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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 62.6 miles from Lincolnton and 66.5 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.8 miles (141.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 1:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.06 one way or $36.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Lincolnton and Rain Showers Likely 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 Lincolnton and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 87.79 mi (141.28 km).
#1 Lincolnton
County seat in North Carolina
| Population | 11,522 |
| Coordinates | 35.4737500, -81.2545300 |
| Altitude | 254 |
| 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: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.20 | $40.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $21.79 | $43.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $25.65 | $51.29 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.