Origin
Oak Island, NC
Morning in Oak Island on Wednesday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Island, NC to Chapel Hill, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 47m
Distance
366.8 mi
590 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 38m
★
6 AM
7h 48m
8 AM
8h 6m
10 AM
7h 54m
12 PM
7h 52m
3 PM
7h 55m
5 PM
8h 5m
8 PM
7h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Island, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Oak Island, NC to Chapel Hill, NC covers 366.8 miles and takes about 7h 47m 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, Green Swamp Road Northwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.4 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.36 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
183.4 miles from Oak Island, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 47m drive with frequent turns across 366.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 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 105.4 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 141.5 miles in near US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 366.8 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 141.5 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.6 miles (NC 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
141.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
174.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
208.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
|
NC 27
Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
8
235.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
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 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
7
329.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 46m in
|
I 26; US 19; US 23
Take the exit onto I 26; US 19; US 23 toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oak Island, NC and Chapel Hill, NC, road signs point toward Shelby, Asheville, Westgate and Mars Hill.
Shelby
235.5 mi in
|
~4h 52m
Asheville
291.5 mi in
|
~5h 59m
|
via I 26; US 74
Westgate
329.3 mi in
|
~6h 45m
Mars Hill
329.9 mi in
|
~6h 46m
|
via I 26; US 19; US 23
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 105.4 mi | 2h 5m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Green Swamp Road Northwest | 25.6 mi | 35m |
| I 85 | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| US 25 | 21.3 mi | 33m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway | 18.3 mi | 19m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 15.7 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 105.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Island, NC and Chapel Hill, NC.
1
Start on NC 906
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Middleton Avenue
2
Continue on NC 906
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Middleton Street
3
Turn left onto NC 211
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on NC 211
26 mi
·
35 min
·
Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
6
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi
·
38 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
7
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
8
Continue on US 74
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi
·
15 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
13
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
15
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
16
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
22
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 27
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto I 85
24 mi
·
29 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
29
Continue on US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the ramp onto US 74
16 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 74
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
32
Merge onto I 26; US 74
38 mi
·
45 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward Asheville
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Westgate
34
Turn straight onto Patton Avenue
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Patton Avenue
Toward Westgate
35
Take the ramp
157 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Westgate
36
Merge onto I 26; I 240; US 19; US 23; US 74A
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Billy Graham Freeway
37
Take the exit onto I 26; US 19; US 23
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 26; US 19; US 23
Toward I 26 West, US 19 North, US 23 North, US 70 West: Weaverville, Mars Hill
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
38
Take the exit onto US 25; US 70
21 mi
·
33 min
·
US 25; US 70
Toward US 25 North, US 70 West: Marshall
39
Continue on NC 208
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
NC 208
40
Turn right onto Guntertown Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Guntertown Road
41
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
42
Turn left
27 ft
·
1 sec
43
Arrive at 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.4 miles from Oak Island, NC, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 81 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.4 miles or 3h 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 6h 18m
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 Oak Island, 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 Oak Island, NC
This is one driving day of about 366.8 miles and 7h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Oak Island, 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 105.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 183.4 mi from Oak Island, NC · 3h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.4 miles from Oak Island, 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 105.4 miles.
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.
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
$57.36 one way
$114.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $62.72 | $125.43 |
| premium | $4.70 | $67.89 | $135.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.98 | $161.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110 | 1 | $38.51 | $17.61 |
| Efficient EV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.10 | $14.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.7 | 1 | $51.35 | $23.48 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Morning in Chapel Hill on Wednesday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Belmont, NC
183 mi in
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
9 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 47m 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 Oak Island, NC to Chapel Hill, NC covers 366.8 miles and takes about 7h 47m 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, Green Swamp Road Northwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 183.4 miles from Oak Island, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.36 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 23 significant decision points across 366.8 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 141.5 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.6 miles (NC 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Oak Island, NC and Chapel Hill, NC, road signs point toward Shelby, Asheville, Westgate and Mars Hill.
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