How far is Matthews, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Matthews, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 174.7 miles (281.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 06m.
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 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Matthews and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Matthews and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on North Freemont Street
4 m · 6 sec · North Freemont Street
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2
Turn left onto West John Street
149 m · 24 sec · West John Street
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3
Turn left onto North Trade Street
2622 ft · 1 min · North Trade Street
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4
Continue on Sam Newell Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sam Newell Road
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5
Turn left onto East Independence Boulevard
3.4 mi · 5 min · East Independence Boulevard
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6
Continue on East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Independence Expressway
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7
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
1.1 km · 45 sec · East Independence Boulevard
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8
Merge slight left onto John Belk Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · John Belk Freeway
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9
Take the exit straight toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
2.5 mi · 4 min
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10
Take the ramp slight left
1678 ft · 41 sec
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11
Merge slight left
24.1 mi · 30 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
3242 ft · 50 sec
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13
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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14
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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15
Continue on East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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16
Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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17
Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
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18
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
37.8 mi · 46 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Westgate
920 ft · 16 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Patton Avenue
821 ft · 14 sec · Patton Avenue
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21
Take the ramp straight toward Westgate
48 m · 3 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway
1502 ft · 26 sec · Billy Graham Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight left toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill
8.4 mi · 11 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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25
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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26
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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27
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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28
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Matthews and Chapel Hill.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
37.8 mi · 00h 46m
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 Matthews and Mostly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Matthews to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 174.7 miles (281.1 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Rutherfordton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.8 miles from Matthews and 88.9 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Matthews and Mostly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Rutherfordton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall of Tryon
Town of Rutherfordton
Chesnee City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rutherfordton.
Spartanburg
Greenville
Gastonia
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Matthews and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 125.36 mi (201.75 km).
#1 Matthews
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 33,718 |
| Coordinates | 35.1168100, -80.7236800 |
| Altitude | 222 |
| 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: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.28 | $54.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.64 | $69.29 |
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 · 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.