Charlotte, NC to Dunn, NC is 158.3 miles and takes about 3h 28m via Fayetteville Road, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given its mostly surface road profile, expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate cruise. It's a straightforward drive, ideal if you're looking for a manageable day trip without extensive highway time.
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
79.1 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fayetteville Road
21.8 mi
25m
Fayetteville Outer Loop
21.7 mi
24m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
I 95
13.4 mi
15m
Plank Road
13.1 mi
18m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi
13m
US 74 BUS
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Fayetteville Road
— 21.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Dunn, 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
21 mi·24 min·Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Addor Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Addor Road
23
Continue on Addor Road
2.5 mi·3 min·Addor Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto Ashemont Road
0.4 mi·45 sec·Ashemont Road
25
Enter roundabout onto Ashemont Road
135 ft·2 sec·Ashemont Road
26
Continue on Ashemont Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Ashemont Road
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Ashemont Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Ashemont Road
28
Continue on Army Road
3.6 mi·5 min·Army Road
29
Continue on Plank Road
13 mi·18 min·Plank Road
30
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Wayside Road
31
Turn left onto US 401
0.8 mi·1 min·Fayetteville Road
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 401
1.4 mi·1 min·Raeford Road
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 401
1.2 mi·1 min·South Raeford Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Take the exit
113 ft·3 sec
35
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·22 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 295 North: Fort Bragg
36
Merge onto I 295
22 mi·24 min·Fayetteville Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 34Toward I 95: Benson, LumbertonUse the slight right lane.
38
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 North: Benson
39
Merge onto I 95
13 mi·15 min·I 95
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward Pope Rd
41
Keep slight left at fork onto Spring Branch Road
126 ft·4 sec·Spring Branch Road
42
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 421, NC 55: Dunn, Clinton, Newton Grove
43
Turn left onto US 421; NC 55
0.9 mi·2 min·East Cumberland Street
44
Arrive at destination
US 421; NC 55
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under 3.5 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic leaving Charlotte. Since the longest stretch on a single road is just over 21 miles, you'll likely pass through several towns, offering opportunities for quick breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $26, and plan your fill-up before you hit longer stretches of surface road.
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 79.1 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 1h 46m 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunn, 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 158.3 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 21.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 141.7 — 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.
8
141.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Benson, Lumberton
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 34
Toward I 95: Benson, Lumberton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.18 one way
$50.36 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$27.45
$54.91
premium
$4.78
$29.78
$59.57
diesel
$5.35
$33.34
$66.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.5
0
$16.62
$7.60
Efficient EV
39.6
0
$13.85
$6.33
EV Truck/SUV
63.3
0
$22.16
$10.13
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon
in Charlotte on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 1:34PM EDT until May 31 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 10:57AM EDT until May 31 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Dunn, NC
Afternoon
in Dunn on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 2 to 7 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 1:34PM EDT until May 31 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 31 at 10:57AM EDT until May 31 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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
13 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 28m 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 is predominantly surface roads, with highway driving accounting for only 27% of the total distance. You'll encounter 21.8 miles on Fayetteville Road as the longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type. Expect to navigate through more developed areas with frequent intersections rather than open highway cruising for most of the trip.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.8 mi on Fayetteville Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 4.6 miles in near US 74 / East Independence Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 158.3 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 ft102 ft
Total Climb
491 ft
Total Descent
1,047 ft
Highest Point
763 ft
Elevation Range
661 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 Dunn, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington, Asheboro and Lumberton.
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 28m. Total distance: 158.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.8 miles on Fayetteville Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Dunn, 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 2 rest areas 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Dunn, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
