Origin
Benson, NC
Late night in Benson on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benson, NC to Charlotte, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
164.2 mi
264 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benson, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 164.2-mile drive from Benson, NC to Charlotte, NC will take you about 3 hours and 34 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip with a fuel cost estimated at $26. You'll primarily navigate via Fayetteville Outer Loop and US 1 before merging onto I-95 for a portion of the journey. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it suitable for a single day without feeling overly rushed. Given its relatively short duration and moderate highway share, it's a straightforward connection within the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.1 miles from Benson, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Outer Loop | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| US 1 | 21 mi | 24m |
| I 95 | 20.8 mi | 24m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Broad Avenue | 15.5 mi | 20m |
| Plank Road | 13.1 mi | 18m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Independence Boulevard | 7.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Fayetteville Outer Loop
— 21.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on US 301; NC 242
69 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Wall Street
2
Turn right onto West Lambert Drive
186 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Lambert Drive
3
Turn right onto North Ellis Drive
144 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Ellis Drive
4
Turn left onto NC 50; NC 242
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
6
Merge onto I 95
21 mi
·
24 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 58
Toward I 295, US 13 North: Newton Grove, Fort Bragg
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 13 North: Newton Grove
9
Merge onto US 13
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Goldsboro Road
10
Continue on I 295
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Fayetteville Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 12
Toward US 401: Raeford, Fayetteville
12
Keep slight right at fork
348 ft
·
8 sec
Exit 12
Toward US 401 South: Raeford
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 401
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Raeford Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 401
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fayetteville Road
15
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wayside Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto Plank Road
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
17
Continue on Army Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Army Road
18
Continue on Ashemont Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashemont Road
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Ashemont Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashemont Road
20
Enter roundabout onto Ashemont Road
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
Ashemont Road
21
Continue on Ashemont Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Ashemont Road
22
Turn right onto Addor Road
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Addor Road
23
Turn left onto US 1
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto East Green Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Green Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 74 BUS
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Broad Avenue
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
28
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
30
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
31
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
33
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.
34
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Use the slight right lane.
38
Continue on East 6th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
39
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Tryon Street
40
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3.5 hours, this trip is easily completed in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the midpoint of your 164.2-mile journey. Be mindful of the 40% highway share, as traffic can pick up on these sections, especially as you approach Charlotte. A good tip is to check local traffic conditions before leaving Benson, NC, as this can impact your travel time on segments like the Fayetteville Outer Loop.
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 82.1 miles from Benson, NC, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.8 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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.1 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benson, 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 Benson, NC
This is one driving day of about 164.2 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Benson, 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 Fayetteville Outer Loop for about 21.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Benson, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 21.6 and 163.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.6 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 13 North: Newton Grove, Fort Bragg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 58
Toward I 295, US 13 North: Newton Grove, Fort B...
6
44.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward US 401: Raeford, Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward US 401: Raeford, Fayetteville
9
44.5 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 401 South: Raeford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 12
Toward US 401 South: Raeford
7
131.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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
163.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.68 one way
$51.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.08 | $56.15 |
| premium | $4.70 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.25 | $72.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.24 | $7.88 |
| Efficient EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.7 | 0 | $22.99 | $10.51 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Charlotte, NC
Late night in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
2 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
3h 34m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with approximately 40% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 21.8 miles on the Fayetteville Outer Loop. While parts of the drive will feel like standard highway travel, you'll also experience stretches on US 1, offering a different pace. The road character shifts subtly as you progress, moving from more localized routes to interstate segments and back, keeping the driving experience varied rather than monotonous.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.8 mi on Fayetteville Outer Loop.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.6 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 24 significant decision points across 164.2 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 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benson, NC and Charlotte, NC, road signs point toward Fort Bragg and Fayetteville.
Fort Bragg
21.6 mi in
|
~26m
Fayetteville
44.2 mi in
|
~53m
About the Cities
Arriving in Charlotte, NC
Full guide →Charlotte is an ambitious and rapidly growing city in the southern part of the Piedmont of North Carolina. It is also developing its fledgling tourist industry; its central core is one of the most visitor-friendly districts in the Carolinas. Charlotte's most popular attractions include the Carolina Panthers (NFL), the Charlotte Hornets (NBA), the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Charlotte Ballet, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Billy Graham Library, Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte Museum of History, Carowinds amusement park, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 164.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.8 miles on Fayetteville Outer Loop. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Charlotte, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Charlotte, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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