Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Cedar Point, NC to Charlotte, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
262 mi
422 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 27m
★
6 AM
5h 41m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 50m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 6m
8 PM
5h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Point, NC
Mahoney Fotos
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cedar Point to Charlotte is 262 miles and takes about 5h 40m via Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Burgaw Highway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a trip primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a high-speed interstate cruise. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
131 miles from Cedar Point, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 73.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Burgaw Highway | 30.6 mi | 43m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| NC 11 | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Freedom Way | 9.3 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Point, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on NC 24
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Cedar Point Boulevard
2
Continue on NC 24
3.2 mi
·
7 min
·
West Corbett Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Freedom Way
4
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
5
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
6
Turn slight right onto NC 24 Business
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Johnson Boulevard
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Marine Boulevard
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
9
Continue on NC 53
31 mi
·
43 min
·
Burgaw Highway
10
Turn straight onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Bridges Street
11
Turn left onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Walker Street
12
Turn right onto NC 53
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
East Wilmington Street
13
Turn left onto Malpass Corner Road
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Malpass Corner Road
14
Continue on NC 210
8.7 mi
·
13 min
·
Borough Road
15
Turn left onto NC 11
10 mi
·
14 min
·
NC 11
16
Merge onto US 74; US 76
42 mi
·
48 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
18
Continue on US 74
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi
·
15 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
23
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
25
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
26
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
28
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.
29
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Use the slight right lane.
33
Continue on East 6th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
34
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Tryon Street
35
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 40m estimated drive time, leaving Cedar Point in the morning should allow you to reach Charlotte with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the 262 miles; consider timing it around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a stretch. The fuel cost estimate of $44 is based on the total mileage, so keep this in mind as you budget. Watch for changes in speed limits and road types as you transition between the main highways and the predominantly surface road sections.
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 131 miles from Cedar Point, NC, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 58 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131 miles or 2h 59m 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 38m
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 Cedar Point, 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 Cedar Point, NC
This is one driving day of about 262 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cedar Point, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 73.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131 miles from Cedar Point, 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 73.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Homestead Property Maintenance
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 86.1 and 261 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
86.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge onto US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
181.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
196.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
229.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m 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
261 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m 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
$38.68 one way
$77.36 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $42.51 | $85.02 |
| premium | $4.49 | $46.33 | $92.67 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.47 | $98.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.51 | $12.58 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.93 | $10.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.8 | 1 | $36.68 | $16.77 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Cedar Point, NC
Morning in Cedar Point on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Charlotte, NC
Morning in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 2 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 72.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 262 miles with a relatively low highway percentage of 19%. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with the longest continuous stretch on a main road being 73.8 miles along Andrew Jackson Highway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you move onto local thoroughfares. This profile suggests a driving experience with less merging and more local traffic patterns.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 86.1 miles in near US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 262 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 86.1 miles (US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.4 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
763 ft
14 ft
Total Climb
802 ft
Total Descent
59 ft
Highest Point
763 ft
~260.9 mi in
Elevation Range
749 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Cedar Point, NC
Full guide →Arriving in Charlotte, NC
Full guide →“Hornet's Nest” · Founded 1768
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.
Top landmarks
- • Carowinds — amusement park in North and South Carolina
- • Dilworth — neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
- • Elizabeth — neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
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 5h 40m. Total distance: 262 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 86.1 miles (US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.4 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Charlotte, NC before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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