Origin
Charlotte, NC
Night in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Forest City, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
64.1 mi
103 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Forest City, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Charlotte to Forest City is a straightforward 64.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 24 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the round trip, making this an affordable transit through the Southeast region of North Carolina. The route primarily utilizes I-85 before transitioning onto West and East Dixon Boulevard to reach Forest City. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it a stress-free option for your weekend plans.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| East Dixon Boulevard | 12 mi | 17m |
| Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Freedom Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Broadway Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Morehead Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 24.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Forest City, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Tryon Street
2
Turn right onto NC 27; NC 49
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Morehead Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto NC 27
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Freedom Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 85
24 mi
·
29 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
9
Continue on US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp onto US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 182
Toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 221A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Main Street
14
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft
·
1 sec
·
Cherry Mountain Street
15
Arrive at destination
Cherry Mountain Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.1 miles from Charlotte, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 62.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street
Turn right onto NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
NC 27 / Freedom Drive
Turn right onto NC 27 / Freedom Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
28.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
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 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
7
62.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
6
62.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
US 221A / South Broadway Street
Turn left onto US 221A / South Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.02 one way
$20.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $10.96 | $21.92 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.86 | $23.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.15 | $28.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Forest City, NC
Night in Forest City on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
1h 24m 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?
This 64.1-mile trek offers a mixed driving profile that transitions from high-speed interstate travel to local boulevard navigating. You will spend roughly 38% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 24.1 miles on I-85. As you leave the Charlotte area, the initial interstate segment provides a steady, fast-paced rhythm before you eventually exit toward the more localized Dixon Boulevard corridors. Expect the driving experience to shift from the heavy flow of major traffic to the more moderate pace of regional thoroughfares as you approach your destination. It is a functional, balanced route that keeps you moving consistently without requiring complex navigation maneuvers.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.1 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (NC 27 / Freedom Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,014 ft
643 ft
Total Climb
732 ft
Total Descent
480 ft
Highest Point
1,014 ft
~64.1 mi in
Elevation Range
372 ft
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.
On the drive from Charlotte, NC to Forest City, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Shelby along the way.
Shelby
28.3 mi in
|
~36m
About the Cities
Starting 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 1h 24m. Total distance: 64.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.1 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (NC 27 / Freedom Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Forest City, NC before heading back.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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