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Trip from Roxboro, NC to Chapel Hill, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

265.2 mi

427 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 27m ★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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human settlement in Person County, North Carolina, United States of America

Roxboro, NC

Wikimedia Commons

town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States

Chapel Hill, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Roxboro, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is 265.2 miles and takes about 5h 40m via I 40 and US 25, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically North Carolina, making it a straightforward trip without crossing state lines. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, so expect consistent speeds for most of the drive. With a recommended single day for this route, it's a manageable distance for most drivers, offering a good balance of travel time and arrival flexibility.

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

132.6 miles from Roxboro, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 173.3 mi 3h 19m
US 25 21.3 mi 33m
Burlington Road 15.1 mi 21m
Sam Hunt Freeway 11.4 mi 13m
NC 49 9.3 mi 12m
North NC Highway 62 8.9 mi 12m
I 26 6.2 mi 7m
Billy Graham Freeway 4.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 173.3 mi, about 3h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roxboro, NC and Chapel Hill, NC.

1

Start on Depot Street

119 ft · 5 sec · Depot Street
2

Continue on Reams Avenue

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Reams Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 501; NC 49

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Madison Boulevard
4

Turn right onto US 158; NC 49; NC 57

0.9 mi · 1 min · Leasburg Road
5

Turn left onto NC 49

15 mi · 21 min · Burlington Road
6

At end of road, turn left onto NC 49; NC 86

0.4 mi · 36 sec · NC 49; NC 86
7

Turn right onto NC 49

8.8 mi · 12 min · NC 49
8

Keep slight right at fork onto North NC 49

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North NC 49
9

Continue on NC 62

8.9 mi · 12 min · North NC Highway 62
10

Continue on NC 62

1.1 mi · 2 min · Rauhut Street
11

Turn right onto US 70; NC 62

0.3 mi · 31 sec · North Fisher Street
12

Continue on US 70; NC 62

0.4 mi · 48 sec · South Fisher Street
13

Turn straight onto US 70; NC 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto NC 62

1.2 mi · 1 min · Alamance Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro
16

Merge onto I 40; I 85

11 mi · 13 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

153 mi · 2 hr 54 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville Use the slight left lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 240

4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
Toward I 240, US 74A: West Asheville
21

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 25 Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto US 25

105 ft · 4 sec · Merrimon Avenue
23

Turn straight

254 ft · 9 sec
24

Turn right onto Broadway Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street
Use the straight lane.
25

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 26; US 19; US 23; US 70

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 26; US 19; US 23; US 70
27

Continue on I 26; US 19; US 23; US 25; US 70

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 26; US 19; US 23; US 25; US 70
28

Take the exit onto US 25; US 70

21 mi · 33 min · US 25; US 70
Toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
29

Continue on NC 208

3.5 mi · 5 min · NC 208
30

Turn right onto Guntertown Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Guntertown Road
31

Continue on Chapel Hill Road

1.6 mi · 6 min · Chapel Hill Road
32

Turn left

27 ft · 1 sec
33

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 40m estimated duration, leaving Roxboro in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should comfortably get you to Chapel Hill by mid-afternoon, allowing for a relaxed arrival. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 173 miles on I 40, so plan for a fuel stop before or during this segment to avoid any concerns, especially with a fuel cost estimated at $41. While the drive is doable in one day, don't hesitate to take a brief break if needed to stretch your legs, especially before embarking on that long I 40 section.

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 132.6 miles from Roxboro, NC, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.3 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 58 miles or 1h 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 132.6 miles or 2h 47m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chapel Hill, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Roxboro, 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 Roxboro, NC

This is one driving day of about 265.2 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Roxboro, 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 173.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Granite Falls, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Granite Falls, NC

133 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

Greensboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Granite Falls, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.6 miles from Roxboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 173.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

The Rise Coffee Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Asheville, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 227.3

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18282200368

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

3 mi

The Rise Coffee Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18282200368

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.8

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Taproot Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 151.5

Hickory, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18064078348

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Roxboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 37.9

Burlington, North Carolina

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 37.9

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Asheville Free Walking Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18284190295

Visit website

Asheville Pinball Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: 2–9 pm

+18287765671

Visit website

Western North Carolina Nature Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 227.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18282598080

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 37.9

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 56.8

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Alamance County Historical Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 37.9

Burlington, NC

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13362268254

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 39 and 223.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
39 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro
6
50.6 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
58.2 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | I 40; US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
70.8 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
6
223.9 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in | I 240 / Billy Graham Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 240 / Billy Graham Freeway toward I 240, US 74A: West Asheville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 240, US 74A: West Asheville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.47 one way

$82.94 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $45.35 $90.69
premium $4.70 $49.08 $98.17
diesel $5.61 $58.55 $117.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.6 0 $27.85 $12.73
Efficient EV 66.3 0 $23.21 $10.61
EV Truck/SUV 106.1 1 $37.13 $16.97

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Roxboro, NC

Late night in Roxboro on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chapel Hill, NC

Late night in Chapel Hill on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°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

4 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 40m 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 is largely a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major roads like I 40 and US 25. You'll experience a significant stretch of 173.3 miles on I 40, which means long stretches of consistent speed and straightforward navigation. While Burlington Road is mentioned, the bulk of your time will be spent on these main arteries. The profile suggests a consistent driving experience rather than a winding, scenic byway, so prepare for efficient travel.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.3 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 39 miles in.

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 23 significant decision points across 265.2 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 39 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Roxboro, NC to Chapel Hill, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.

Statesville

70.8 mi in | ~1h 37m | via I 40

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 265.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 173.3 miles on I 40. 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 Chapel Hill, 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 39 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chapel Hill, 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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