Origin
Carolina Beach, NC
Afternoon in Carolina Beach on Monday
Local time
1:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carolina Beach, NC to Chapel Hill, NC
Drive Time
6h 36m
Distance
406.1 mi
654 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 24m
★
6 AM
6h 36m
8 AM
7h 0m
10 AM
6h 45m
12 PM
6h 42m
3 PM
6h 46m
5 PM
6h 59m
8 PM
6h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carolina Beach, NC
Aaron Ulsh
Chapel Hill, NC
Niki Clark
Trip Overview
The drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Chapel Hill, NC covers 406.1 miles and takes about 6h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach Road, South Front Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $64.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
203.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 36m drive with frequent turns across 406.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Lake Park Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Lake Park Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Carolina Beach Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Front Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cape Fear Memorial Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ocean Highway East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| American Indian Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| G R Kindley Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Lake Park Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Beach, NC and Chapel Hill, NC.
1
Start on the route
46 ft
·
6 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lake Park Boulevard
3
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
4
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
5
Continue on South Front Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Front Street
6
Take the ramp slight right
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
7
Merge slight left onto Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
8
Continue on Ocean Highway East
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ocean Highway East
9
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
10
Continue on American Indian Highway
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
11
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
12
Keep slight left to continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14 mi
·
15 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
13
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
14
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
15
Continue on Salisbury Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
16
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
17
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
18
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
19
Continue on East Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
20
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
21
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
22
Merge slight right onto Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
23
Continue on East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
24
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
25
Merge slight left onto John Belk Freeway
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
John Belk Freeway
26
Take the exit straight toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 27: Freedom Drive
27
Take the ramp slight left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
28
Merge slight left
24 mi
·
29 min
29
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
30
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
31
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
32
Continue on East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi
·
17 min
·
East Dixon Boulevard
33
Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard
16 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
34
Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
35
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
38 mi
·
45 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
36
Take the exit slight right toward Westgate
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Westgate
37
Turn straight onto Patton Avenue
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Patton Avenue
38
Take the ramp straight toward Westgate
157 ft
·
3 sec
·
Westgate
39
Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Billy Graham Freeway
40
Take the exit slight left toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill
41
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
21 mi
·
33 min
·
US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
42
Continue straight
3.5 mi
·
5 min
43
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Guntertown Road
44
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
45
Turn left
26 ft
·
2 sec
46
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 203.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
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 89 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.1 miles or 3h 18m 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 37m
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 Carolina Beach, 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 Carolina Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 406.1 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Carolina Beach, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 203.1 mi from Carolina Beach, NC · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
203 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 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 203.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chapel Hill, NC
The final approach into Chapel Hill, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chapel Hill, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.99 one way
$129.98 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
142 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $70.81 | $141.62 |
| premium | $4.78 | $76.39 | $152.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $90.22 | $180.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 121.8 | 1 | $42.64 | $19.49 |
| Efficient EV | 101.5 | 1 | $35.53 | $16.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.4 | 2 | $56.85 | $25.99 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Chapel Hill, NC
Afternoon in Chapel Hill on Monday
Local time
1:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 36m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Chapel Hill, NC covers 406.1 miles and takes about 6h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach Road, South Front Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 203.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $64.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Chapel Hill, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Carolina Beach, NC to Chapel Hill, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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