How far is Morehead City, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Morehead City, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 431.2 miles (694 km), with a travel time of about 07h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 347.5 miles (559.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 12m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Morehead City and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morehead City and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on the route
75 m · 23 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 18th Street
38 m · 6 sec · North 18th Street
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3
Turn right onto Arendell Street
69.2 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Arendell Street
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4
Continue on West New Bern Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West New Bern Road
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5
Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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6
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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7
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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8
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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9
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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11
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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13
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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14
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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15
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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16
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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20
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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21
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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22
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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23
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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24
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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25
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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27
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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28
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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29
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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30
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Morehead City 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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Morehead City 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 Morehead City to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 431.2 miles (694 km) and usually takes 07h 12m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sedalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 216.9 miles from Morehead City and 214.3 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 347.5 miles (559.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 83.7 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.29 one way or $120.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 135.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Morehead City and Mostly Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Sedalia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Graham City Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sedalia.
Burlington
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Morehead City and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 347.53 mi (559.3 km).
#1 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: 694 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $60.29 | $120.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $67.41 | $134.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $72.72 | $145.44 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $85.60 | $171.19 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.