McDowell County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Raleigh, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 52m
Distance
285 mi
459 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 39m
★
6 AM
5h 52m
8 AM
6h 18m
10 AM
6h 1m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chapel Hill, NC to Raleigh, NC is 285 miles and takes about 5h 52m via I 40 and US 25, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily within North Carolina, making it a straightforward regional hop. The route is largely highway-based, suggesting a quick transit rather than an exploration-focused excursion. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this drive is well-suited for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.5 miles from Chapel Hill, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 234.4 mi | 4h 29m |
| US 25 | 24.8 mi | 37m |
| Billy Graham Freeway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| I 26 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Wade Avenue | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| NC 208 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Western Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Guntertown Road | 2.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 234.4 mi, about 4h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill, NC and Raleigh, 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 left at fork onto US 70
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 70
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 70
10
Merge onto I 240; US 70; US 74A
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 240
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
12
Merge onto I 40
158 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Wade Avenue
Exit 289
Toward Wade Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Faircloth Street
19
Continue on Gorman Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gorman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
22
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
23
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
24
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 52m estimated drive time, leaving Chapel Hill, NC in the morning will allow you to reach Raleigh, NC well before evening. Since this is a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you cover the 234.4-mile stretch on I 40, and consider refueling before you leave Chapel Hill if you want to minimize stops. The fuel cost estimate of $44 is based on current averages, so it's good to have a bit of buffer.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.5 miles from Chapel Hill, NC, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.4 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 63 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.5 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raleigh, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chapel Hill, NC
This is one driving day of about 285 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Chapel Hill, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 234.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.5 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 I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 234.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 276.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
NC 208
At end of road, turn left onto NC 208
Navigation decision point
8
200.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
6
209.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
246.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
276.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m in
|
SR 1728 / Wade Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Wade Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.08 one way
$84.15 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $46.24 | $92.48 |
| premium | $4.49 | $50.40 | $100.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.81 | $107.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.5 | 1 | $29.93 | $13.68 |
| Efficient EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.94 | $11.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114 | 1 | $39.90 | $18.24 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Chapel Hill, NC
Late night in Chapel Hill on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 1 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:15PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Late night in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 3 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:15PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
8 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
5h 52m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of the 285 miles spent on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 234.4 miles on I 40. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, likely in the final 51 miles. Expect dense exit activity as you approach urban areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 25. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near NC 208.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 285 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 3.7 miles (NC 208): Navigation decision point; at 200.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,158 ft
315 ft
Total Climb
365 ft
Total Descent
2,209 ft
Highest Point
2,158 ft
Elevation Range
1,843 ft
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.
On the drive from Chapel Hill, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.
Martinsville
200.1 mi in
|
~4h 8m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting in Chapel Hill, NC
Full guide →Founded 1793
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...
Arriving in Raleigh, NC
Full guide →Founded 1770
The capital of North Carolina and the largest city of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is the primary political and economic driver of the metro area. Indeed, business and politics are the main draws to Raleigh, which lacks the more trendy feel or active arts scene of Durham or Chapel Hill to the west. However, a concerted effort to expand the residential base and move events downtown has led to significantly expanded retail and restaurant options in the downtown core. Also, visitors will find many of the state's cultural institutions here, namely a major performing arts center downtown and three state museums, and a college town atmosphere in the neighborhood around the campus of North Carolina State University, the state's largest university.
Top landmarks
- • North Carolina Museum of Art — state art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina
- • North Carolina State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of North Carolina
- • Dorton Arena — arena in Raleigh, North Carolina
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 285 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Raleigh, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (NC 208): Navigation decision point; at 200.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Raleigh, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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