How far is Spring Lake, NC from Chapel Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Spring Lake, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is about 288.4 miles (464.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m 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 46m.
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.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spring Lake and Chapel Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring Lake and Chapel Hill.
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1
Start on Lillington Highway
1372 ft · 1 min · Lillington Highway
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2
Continue on Lillington Highway
859 ft · 21 sec · Lillington Highway
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3
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North: Sanford
122 m · 11 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto North Bragg Boulevard
20.8 mi · 30 min · North Bragg Boulevard
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Sanford Bypass
12.1 mi · 14 min · Sanford Bypass
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6
Continue on Boone Trail Road
2156 ft · 29 sec · Boone Trail Road
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7
Continue on Isaac Brooks Highway
43.4 mi · 53 min · Isaac Brooks Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
1107 ft · 27 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop
4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Greensboro Urban Loop
6.7 mi · 7 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
5.8 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 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 Spring Lake 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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Spring Lake and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers near Chapel Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spring Lake to Chapel Hill?
The road trip is about 288.4 miles (464.1 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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 144.9 miles from Spring Lake and 143.5 miles from Chapel Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.7 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.32 one way or $80.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Spring Lake and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers 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 Spring Lake and Chapel Hill. Straight-line distance: 216.7 mi (348.75 km).
#1 Spring Lake
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 11,980 |
| Coordinates | 35.1679400, -78.9728100 |
| Altitude | 84 |
| 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: 464 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $40.32 | $80.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $45.09 | $90.17 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $48.64 | $97.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $57.25 | $114.50 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.