Origin
Chapel Hill, NC
Night in Chapel Hill on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Carolina Beach, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 57m
Distance
371.5 mi
598 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 48m
★
6 AM
7h 57m
8 AM
8h 15m
10 AM
8h 3m
12 PM
8h 1m
3 PM
8h 4m
5 PM
8h 14m
8 PM
7h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Carolina Beach, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chapel Hill, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is 371.5 miles and takes about 7h 57m via Andrew Jackson Highway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a local, turn-heavy drive that might feel more like exploring backroads than a direct interstate journey. With a recommended one-day drive, you have the flexibility to start later or make more frequent stops. Consider this route if you prefer a less highway-intensive experience and don't mind navigating through towns and local roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.7 miles from Chapel Hill, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 104.8 mi | 2h 7m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Billy Graham Freeway | 26.7 mi | 33m |
| US 25 | 24.8 mi | 37m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| James A. Callahan Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 104.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill, NC and Carolina Beach, NC.
1
Start on this road
27 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
3
Continue on Guntertown Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Guntertown Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto NC 208
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
NC 208
5
Continue on US 25; US 70
21 mi
·
32 min
·
US 25; US 70
6
Take the exit onto US 25; US 70
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 25; US 70
7
Continue on I 26; US 19; US 23; US 70
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 26; US 19; US 23; US 70
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26; US 19; US 23
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 26; US 19; US 23
Toward I 26 East, US 74A West: West Asheville
9
Merge onto I 26; I 240; US 19; US 23; US 74A
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Billy Graham Freeway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS
26 mi
·
32 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
Toward I 240 West, I 26 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
12
Take the exit onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
14
Continue on US 74
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
17 min
·
James A. Callahan Highway
16
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
18
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft
·
11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Use the left / right lanes.
25
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
26
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
30
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
36
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
37
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
39
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
40
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
41
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
43
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on US 74
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
47
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
48
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
49
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
50
Take the exit onto US 421 Truck
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
US 421 Truck
Use the straight lane.
51
Continue on NC 132
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
52
Continue on US 421
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lake Park Boulevard
53
Turn left
47 ft
·
3 sec
54
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 7-hour drive is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart anytime. However, starting earlier in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the numerous turns. You'll encounter two recommended stops along the way, so plan to take a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on local roads where stations might be less frequent. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is fully updated, as the frequent turns can be easier to manage with reliable navigation.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.7 miles from Chapel Hill, NC, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 82 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.7 miles or 4h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carolina Beach, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chapel Hill, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chapel Hill, NC
This is one driving day of about 371.5 miles and 7h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Chapel Hill, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 104.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 185.7 miles from Chapel Hill, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 36.9 and 173.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
36.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway toward I 240 West, I 26 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 240 West, I 26 East
8
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
8
129.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
9
156.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
9
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.09 one way
$116.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $63.52 | $127.04 |
| premium | $4.70 | $68.76 | $137.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.02 | $164.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.01 | $17.83 |
| Efficient EV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.51 | $14.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.6 | 1 | $52.01 | $23.78 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Carolina Beach, NC
Night in Carolina Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, with only 29% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, so be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed limits. This drive is best suited for those who enjoy a more engaged driving experience, navigating through various communities rather than a straight shot on an interstate.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
54 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.8 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.9 miles in near I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 371.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.9 miles (I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chapel Hill, NC and Carolina Beach, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium and Wilmington.
Rutherfordton
75.1 mi in
|
~1h 47m
|
via US 74
Spartanburg
129.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Charlotte
129.8 mi in
|
~2h 53m
Bank Of America Stadium
156.9 mi in
|
~3h 25m
Wilmington
173.7 mi in
|
~3h 49m
|
via US 74 BYP
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 57m. Total distance: 371.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Carolina Beach, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.9 miles (I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Carolina Beach, NC before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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