How far is New Bern, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from New Bern, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 396.9 miles (638.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 323.7 miles (520.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 33m 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 06h 16m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Guilford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Bern and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Bern and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on Broad Street
1507 ft · 58 sec · Broad Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Queen Street
2027 ft · 1 min · Queen Street
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3
Turn left onto 1st Street
1248 ft · 25 sec · 1st Street
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4
Continue on Country Club Road
116 m · 10 sec · Country Club Road
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5
Take the ramp right
2028 ft · 49 sec
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6
Merge slight left
32.4 mi · 36 min
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7
Continue on West New Bern Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West New Bern Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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9
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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10
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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12
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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13
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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14
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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15
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
-
16
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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17
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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18
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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19
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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23
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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24
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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25
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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26
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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27
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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28
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21.3 mi · 33 min
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30
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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31
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
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32
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
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33
Turn left
8 m · 2 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Bern 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving New Bern and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Bern to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 396.9 miles (638.8 km) and usually takes 06h 16m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 199.1 miles from New Bern and 197.8 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 323.7 miles (520.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.2 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 $55.49 one way or $110.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 124.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around New Bern and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chapel Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
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 Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Bern and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 323.66 mi (520.88 km).
#1 New Bern
City in and county seat of Craven County, North Carolina
| Population | 29,940 |
| Coordinates | 35.1084900, -77.0441100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 639 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $55.49 | $110.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $62.05 | $124.10 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $66.94 | $133.88 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $78.79 | $157.58 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.