Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
42m
Distance
20 mi
32 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Walnut Creek, NC
Keith Cassill
Chapel Hill, NC to Walnut Creek, NC is 20 miles and takes about 42m via US 25, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within North Carolina, making it a straightforward same-day excursion. The route primarily follows highways, offering a direct path between these two Southeast locations. With minimal distance and a quick drive time, this is an easy option for a quick trip or to connect to other journeys. Expect a focused highway experience for the entirety of your travel.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 25 | 9.9 mi | 16m |
| NC 208 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Walnut Creek Road | 2.9 mi | 9m |
| Guntertown Road | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 1.6 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill, NC and Walnut Creek, NC.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
Continue on Guntertown Road
At end of road, turn left onto NC 208
Continue on US 25; US 70
Turn sharp left onto Walnut Creek Road
Arrive at destination
3 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 17.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto NC 208
Navigation decision point
Turn sharp left onto Walnut Creek Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Regular Gas
$3.18 one way
$6.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $3.47 | $6.94 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.76 | $7.53 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $4.21 | $8.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.10 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Chapel Hill on Wednesday
Local time
5:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Walnut Creek on Wednesday
Local time
5:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 67% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of US 25, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted segment at 9.9 miles. The character of the drive is largely defined by these highway sections, suggesting a steady pace. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of NC 208 and Walnut Creek Road indicates a transition to more localized roads as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent driving experience with a clear focus on efficient travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 25 and NC 208. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chapel Hill Road.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Chapel Hill, NC to Walnut Creek, NC is easy. At 42m with 67% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (NC 208): Navigation decision point; at 17.1 miles (Walnut Creek Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
935 ft
Total Descent
994 ft
Highest Point
2,270 ft
~10 mi in
Elevation Range
674 ft
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 42m. Total distance: 20 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.
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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Explore more options from Chapel Hill, NC or browse trips ending in Walnut Creek, NC.
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