Origin
Chapel Hill, NC
Late night in Chapel Hill on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Whiteville, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
312 mi
502 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 22m
★
6 AM
6h 35m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 43m
12 PM
6h 41m
3 PM
6h 44m
5 PM
6h 58m
8 PM
6h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Whiteville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chapel Hill, NC to Whiteville, NC is 312 miles and takes about 6h 34m via Chapel Hill Road, Guntertown Road, and I 26 East, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, taking you from the Piedmont region down towards the southeastern part of the state. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the towns and countryside you'll pass through. With only one recommended stop and a manageable driving time, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
156 miles from Chapel Hill, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 62 mi | 1h 12m |
| 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
— 62 mi, about 1h 12m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,186 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~653 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Whiteville, 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
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
48
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 701 Bypass
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
50
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Washington Street
51
Enter roundabout onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business
212 ft
·
3 sec
·
Jefferson Street
52
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business
119 ft
·
9 sec
·
Jefferson Street
53
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business
55 ft
·
0 sec
·
Jefferson Street
54
Arrive at destination
US 74 Business; US 76 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 6.5-hour estimated drive time, leaving Chapel Hill in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Whiteville with daylight to spare. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in timing your break to coincide with your needs. Since the route is primarily surface roads, keep an eye on local speed limits and potential traffic delays through towns. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure you have enough fuel before setting off, as you might find fewer service stations compared to a highway route.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156 miles from Chapel Hill, NC, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 69 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whiteville, 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 312 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 156 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 62 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 295 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
$47.81 one way
$95.61 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $52.46 | $104.93 |
| premium | $4.64 | $56.96 | $113.92 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $68.78 | $137.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.76 | $14.98 |
| Efficient EV | 78 | 0 | $27.30 | $12.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.8 | 1 | $43.68 | $19.97 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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
Whiteville, NC
Late night in Whiteville on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
24 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
6h 34m 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 drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway share. You'll be on local roads like Chapel Hill Road and Guntertown Road for the majority of the 312 miles, which will likely mean navigating through various towns and intersections. The longest stretch without a significant break is not specified, but the overall duration suggests a consistent pace on these surface roads. Be prepared for typical traffic and speed limits found on non-highway routes.
Only 33% 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: 62 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 29 significant decision points across 312 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 ft
99 ft
Total Climb
358 ft
Total Descent
2,417 ft
Highest Point
2,158 ft
Elevation Range
2,059 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.
Between Chapel Hill, NC and Whiteville, 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
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 Whiteville, NC
Full guide →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 6h 34m. Total distance: 312 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62 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 Whiteville, 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. 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Whiteville, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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