Charlotte to Coats is 152.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 25 minutes via Fayetteville Road and NC 27, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a mixed driving experience with both highway stretches and surface roads. Given the relatively short duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
76.1 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi
52m
NC 27
21.9 mi
30m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi
13m
NC 24
8.4 mi
11m
US 74 BUS
5.3 mi
7m
Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Fayetteville Road
— 43.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Coats, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
488 ft·14 sec·South Tryon Street
2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·East 5th Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East 5th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
5
Continue on US 74; NC 27
3.5 mi·4 min·US 74; NC 27
Toward US 74 East: Independence ExpresswayUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
7
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
13
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
14
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
17
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
18
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS
5.3 mi·7 min·US 74 BUS
Exit 306Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, AsheboroUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto West Green Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West Green Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
43 mi·52 min·Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
23
Turn right onto NC 24; NC 27
8.4 mi·11 min·NC 24; NC 27
24
Turn left onto NC 27
20 mi·27 min·NC 27
25
Turn left onto South 9th Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·South 9th Street
26
Turn right onto West Ivy Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Ivy Street
27
Turn left onto US 401; NC 27; NC 210
1.6 mi·3 min·South Main Street
28
Turn right onto US 421; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
29
Take the exit
204 ft·5 sec
30
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
0.4 mi·50 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
31
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
182 ft·6 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
32
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
33
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
160 ft·4 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
34
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Leslie Campbell Avenue
35
Continue on NC 27
2.4 mi·3 min·NC 27
36
Turn right onto NC 55
0.3 mi·48 sec·North McKinley Street
37
Turn left onto East Main Street
124 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
38
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility for departure. Aim to leave Charlotte in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially since there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $23, and it's wise to top off before heading out. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road, so plan your mid-drive break accordingly.
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 76.1 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 miles or 1h 43m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coats, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 152.3 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Charlotte, 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 Road for about 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 148.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~7m in|US 74 / East Independence Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / East Independence Boulevard toward US 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East
9
13.7 mi into trip|~19m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
9
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 74 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 306
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business Ea...
6
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|US 1 / Fayetteville Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Fayetteville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
148.1 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|Leslie Campbell Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.22 one way
$48.45 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$26.41
$52.83
premium
$4.78
$28.66
$57.31
diesel
$5.35
$32.08
$64.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.7
0
$15.99
$7.31
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.09
EV Truck/SUV
60.9
0
$21.32
$9.75
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon
in Charlotte on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
NE 1 to 5 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 8:05PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 7:57PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Coats, NC
Afternoon
in Coats on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
NE 0 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 8:05PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 7:57PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
1 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
3h 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a blend of highway and surface roads, with 39% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter a 43.4-mile stretch on Fayetteville Road, which is the longest continuous segment without a major road change. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you progress through the drive.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on Fayetteville Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 4.6 miles in near US 74 / East Independence Boulevard.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 152.3 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 4.6 miles (US 74 / East Independence Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.2 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
763 ft228 ft
Total Climb
422 ft
Total Descent
875 ft
Highest Point
763 ft
Elevation Range
535 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlotte, NC and Coats, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Asheboro.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 152.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Coats, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (US 74 / East Independence Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.2 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Coats, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
