Origin
Chapel Hill, NC
Afternoon in Chapel Hill on Friday
Local time
3:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Southern Pines, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
256.7 mi
413 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Southern Pines, NC
Alex Borelli
Trip Overview
The drive from Chapel Hill, NC to Southern Pines, NC covers 256.7 miles and takes about 5h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 64, I 73 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.14 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
128.3 miles from Chapel Hill, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 256.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 37m highway drive covering 256.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 114 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 114 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 156.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 256.7 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 156.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.2 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.9 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
156.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Mocksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 168
Toward US 64: Mocksville
7
178.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64...
7
179.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 East: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 64 East: Asheboro
6
207 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 344A
Toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Roc...
7
252 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m in
|
US 15; US 501; NC 211
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 501; NC 211 toward US 15, US 501, NC 211: Aberdeen
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15, US 501, NC 211: Aberdeen
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 114 mi | 2h 10m |
| US 64 | 28.8 mi | 38m |
| I 73 | 25 mi | 27m |
| US 25 | 24.8 mi | 37m |
| NC 211 | 19 mi | 28m |
| West Lexington Road | 18 mi | 25m |
| Billy Graham Freeway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| I 26 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 114 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chapel Hill, NC and Southern Pines, 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 left at fork onto US 70
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 70
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 70
10
Merge onto I 240; US 70; US 74A
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 240
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
12
Merge onto I 40
114 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 168
Toward US 64: Mocksville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wilkesboro Street
15
Turn right onto US 64; US 601
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Valley Road
16
Continue on US 64; US 601
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Sanford Avenue
17
Continue on US 64; US 601
18 mi
·
25 min
·
West Lexington Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 64
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 64
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
27 mi
·
36 min
·
US 64
Toward US 64 East: Asheboro
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 344A
Toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
21
Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220
25 mi
·
27 min
·
I 73; I 74; US 220
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
23
Turn left onto NC 211
19 mi
·
28 min
·
NC 211
24
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 501; NC 211
342 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 15; US 501; NC 211
Toward US 15, US 501, NC 211: Aberdeen
25
Continue on US 15; US 501; NC 211
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 15; US 501; NC 211
Toward US 15, US 501, NC 211: Aberdeen
26
Turn left onto Morganton Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Morganton Road
27
Continue on West Morganton Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Morganton Road
28
Turn left onto South Bennett Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Bennett Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto West Pennsylvania Avenue
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Pennsylvania Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
West Pennsylvania Avenue
Trip Plan
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 128.3 miles from Chapel Hill, NC, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114 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 56 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.3 miles or 2h 46m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southern Pines, 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 256.7 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 40 for about 114 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.3 mi from Chapel Hill, NC · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.3 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 I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114 miles.
Arriving in Southern Pines, NC
The final approach into Southern Pines, 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 Southern Pines, NC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.14 one way
$80.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $43.89 | $87.78 |
| premium | $4.70 | $47.51 | $95.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.68 | $113.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77 | 0 | $26.95 | $12.32 |
| Efficient EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.46 | $10.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.7 | 1 | $35.94 | $16.43 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Southern Pines, NC
Afternoon in Southern Pines on Friday
Local time
3:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
3 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
5h 37m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chapel Hill, NC to Southern Pines, NC covers 256.7 miles and takes about 5h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 64, I 73. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.3 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 $40.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 256.7 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 156.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.2 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.9 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Chapel Hill, NC to Southern Pines, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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