Origin
Chapel Hill, NC
Morning in Chapel Hill on Saturday
Local time
11:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Shallotte, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 31m
Distance
346.9 mi
558 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 21m
★
6 AM
7h 31m
8 AM
7h 51m
10 AM
7h 38m
12 PM
7h 36m
3 PM
7h 39m
5 PM
7h 50m
8 PM
7h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Shallotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Chapel Hill, NC to Shallotte, NC covers 346.9 miles and takes about 7h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, Billy Graham Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.25 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173.5 miles from Chapel Hill, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 346.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 31m drive with frequent turns across 346.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 59 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 346.9 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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...
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 Shallotte, 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
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 |
| New Britton Highway East | 17 mi | 29m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 62 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill, NC and Shallotte, 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
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
50
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Jk Powell Boulevard
51
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Powell Boulevard
52
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South J K Powell Boulevard
53
Turn left onto NC 130
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Love Mill Road
54
Turn straight onto NC 130
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Vinson Boulevard
55
Continue on NC 130
17 mi
·
29 min
·
New Britton Highway East
56
Continue on NC 130
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Whiteville Road Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
57
Turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 130
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Main Street
58
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
75 ft
·
3 sec
·
Mulberry Street
59
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.5 miles from Chapel Hill, NC, or about 3h 48m 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 76 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.5 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shallotte, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chapel Hill, NC
This is one driving day of about 346.9 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Chapel Hill, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.5 mi from Chapel Hill, NC · 3h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.5 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 Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62 miles.
Arriving in Shallotte, NC
The final approach into Shallotte, 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 Shallotte, 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
$54.25 one way
$108.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $59.31 | $118.63 |
| premium | $4.70 | $64.20 | $128.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.59 | $153.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.1 | 1 | $36.42 | $16.65 |
| Efficient EV | 86.7 | 0 | $30.35 | $13.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.8 | 1 | $48.57 | $22.20 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Shallotte, NC
Morning in Shallotte on Saturday
Local time
11:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
1 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
7h 31m 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 Chapel Hill, NC to Shallotte, NC covers 346.9 miles and takes about 7h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, Billy Graham Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.5 miles from Chapel Hill, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.25 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 346.9 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.
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.
Between Chapel Hill, NC and Shallotte, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium and Wilmington.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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