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
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,222 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~638 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
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 EastUse 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 67Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, RutherfordtonUse 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, CharlotteUse 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 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse 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 StadiumUse 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 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse 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 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 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
$59.09 one way
$118.18 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$64.43
$128.85
premium
$4.78
$69.90
$139.80
diesel
$5.35
$78.25
$156.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
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, 2026-06-01.
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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Chapel Hill, NC
Afternoon
in Chapel Hill on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Carolina Beach, NC
Afternoon
in Carolina Beach on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph12% chanceLive 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
10 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 345.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort10/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,158 ft6 ft
Total Climb
118 ft
Total Descent
2,270 ft
Highest Point
2,158 ft
Elevation Range
2,152 ft
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.
Scenic and regularly decked out in "Carolina blue", Chapel Hill is a lovely college town in North Carolina that makes up the westernmost point of the Research Triangle. The town is the smallest of the Triangle's three cities, with an influence and pull that belies its size. Based around the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the town caters heavily to the local student population, with plenty of bars and restaurants near the university's beautiful campus. Immediately to the west of Chapel Hill is the adjacent town of Carrboro, an old mill town now known for its local shops, restaurants and nightlife.
Top landmarks
•Carolina Inn — hotel in Chapel Hill, United States
•Old East — Residence hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA)
•Playmakers Theatre — theatre building on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil...
Carolina Beach is a beach town just south of Wilmington, North Carolina. The eastern side of the town is an ordinary built-up beach community, a popular summer destination for students and other beachgoers. But just to the west of town is something more unique: a state park where you can see rare Venus flytraps in the wild.
Top landmarks
•Joy Lee Apartment Building and Annex — apartment building in Carolina Beach, North Carolina
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 with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
