Origin
Southern Pines, NC
Evening in Southern Pines on Thursday
Local time
6:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southern Pines, NC to Chapel Hill, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 38m
Distance
256 mi
412 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
29 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 25m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 5m
10 AM
5h 48m
12 PM
5h 45m
3 PM
5h 49m
5 PM
6h 4m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southern Pines, NC
Alex Borelli
Chapel Hill, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Southern Pines, NC to Chapel Hill, NC covers 256 miles and takes about 5h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Asheboro Bypass, I 73 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114.3 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.03 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 miles from Southern Pines, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 38m. Total distance: 256 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 38m highway drive covering 256 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Asheboro Bypass. The longest continuous stretch is about 114.3 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 33 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 114.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Asheboro Bypass. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 256 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 23.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the ramp toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
6
48.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70A-B
Toward US 64: Siler City, Lexington
8
49 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70B
Toward US 64 West: Lexington
6
78.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Mocksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 64 West: Mocksville
6
214.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
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 Southern Pines, NC to Chapel Hill, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
Lexington
48.5 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 114.3 mi | 2h 10m |
| Asheboro Bypass | 29.3 mi | 39m |
| I 73 | 25 mi | 27m |
| US 25 | 21.3 mi | 33m |
| Mocksville Road | 17.7 mi | 25m |
| NC 211 Highway | 16.9 mi | 25m |
| I 26 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Billy Graham Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 114.3 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southern Pines, NC and Chapel Hill, NC.
1
Start on West Pennsylvania Avenue
38 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Turn right onto Southwest Broad Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Broad Street
3
Turn right onto West Morganton Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Morganton Road
4
Continue on Morganton Road
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Morganton Road
5
Turn right onto NC 5
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Beulah Hill Road South
6
Turn left onto NC 211
17 mi
·
25 min
·
NC 211 Highway
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
8
Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220
25 mi
·
27 min
·
I 73; I 74; US 220
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward US 64: Siler City, Lexington
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 70B
Toward US 64 West: Lexington
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 64
29 mi
·
39 min
·
Asheboro Bypass
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 64
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West: Mocksville
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 64
18 mi
·
25 min
·
Mocksville Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 64; US 601
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Sanford Avenue
16
Continue on US 64; US 601
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Valley Road
17
Turn left onto US 64
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Wilkesboro Street
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
19
Merge onto I 40
114 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
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 miles from Southern Pines, NC, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.3 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 80 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128 miles or 2h 51m 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 Southern Pines, 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 Southern Pines, NC
This is one driving day of about 256 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Southern Pines, 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 114.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128 mi from Southern Pines, NC · 2h 51m 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128 miles from Southern Pines, 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 114.3 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
$40.03 one way
$80.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $43.77 | $87.54 |
| premium | $4.70 | $47.38 | $94.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.52 | $113.04 |
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: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Asheville, North Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Asheville, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Asheville, North Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Asheville, North Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 11
Other: 7
Tesla: 4
Tesla Destination: 3
Blink: 2
Electrify America: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.88 | $12.29 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.84 | $16.38 |
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
Chapel Hill, NC
Evening in Chapel Hill on Thursday
Local time
6:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
23 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 38m 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 Southern Pines, NC to Chapel Hill, NC covers 256 miles and takes about 5h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Asheboro Bypass, 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 miles from Southern Pines, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.03 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 23 significant decision points across 256 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 23.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Southern Pines, NC to Chapel Hill, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
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