How far is Morrisville, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Morrisville, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 272.8 miles (439.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.5 miles (350.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 01m 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 04h 30m.
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.
City in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States
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 Morrisville and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morrisville and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on the route
41 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn sharp left onto Morrisville-Carpenter Road
30 m · 9 sec · Morrisville-Carpenter Road
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3
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Chapel Hill Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward East NC 540: Raleigh
1960 ft · 48 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
1.4 km · 55 sec · Northern Wake Expressway
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6
Take the exit right toward I 40 West: Durham
1310 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left
55.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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8
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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9
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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13
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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14
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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15
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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16
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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17
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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20
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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21
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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22
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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23
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Morrisville 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.
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 Morrisville 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 Morrisville to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 272.8 miles (439.1 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137 miles from Morrisville and 135.8 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.5 miles (350.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.3 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 7:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.14 one way or $76.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Morrisville and Sunny near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Statesville
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 Statesville.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Morrisville and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 217.52 mi (350.07 km).
#1 Morrisville
Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 30,495 |
| Coordinates | 35.8234800, -78.8255600 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| 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: 439 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $38.14 | $76.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.65 | $85.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $46.01 | $92.02 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $54.16 | $108.32 |
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.