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Trip from Charlotte, NC to Laurinburg, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h

Distance

92.7 mi

149 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Charlotte, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Scotland County, North Carolina, United States

Laurinburg, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Charlotte, NC to Laurinburg, NC is 92.7 miles and takes about 2 hours via Andrew Jackson Highway, Monroe Expressway, and G R Kindley Freeway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. It's a relatively short drive, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. Expect a mixed driving experience, balancing quicker highway sections with more local road navigation. This route is a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct journey between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

46.4 miles from Charlotte, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway 21 mi 26m
Monroe Expressway 18.7 mi 21m
G R Kindley Freeway 14.9 mi 16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Independence Boulevard 4.5 mi 6m
US 74 3.5 mi 4m
West Marshville Boulevard 2.9 mi 5m
US 74 BUS 2.9 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 21 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Laurinburg, 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 Expressway Use 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 255 Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington Use 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 left at fork onto US 74

1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
20

Continue on US 74

15 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on US 74

9.7 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
22

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BUS

2.9 mi · 4 min · US 74 BUS
Exit 181 Toward US 74 Business: Laurinburg Use the slight left lane.
23

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 401 Business; US 501 Business

39 ft · 0 sec · South Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

US 15 Business; US 401 Business; US 501 Business

Trip Plan

Given this is a 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will allow you to complete the 92.7-mile trip with ample daylight. With a fuel cost estimated around $15, ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, as there are no specified stops to break up the journey. The longest stretch without a significant change is about 21 miles, so plan accordingly if you like to stretch your legs more frequently. For this particular route, pay attention to signs as you transition between the main roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and the G R Kindley Freeway to ensure you stay on the most direct path.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.4 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21 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 20 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 46.4 miles or 1h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurinburg, 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 92.7 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Charlotte, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 21 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Wingate, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wingate, NC

46 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

Indian Trail, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chesterfield, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.4 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charlotte, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

The Bridge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indian Trail, North Carolina

2.8 mi

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Creama Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshville, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.1

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17048908646

Visit website

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.2 mi

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Matthews, North Carolina

2.5 mi

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

The Bridge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.2

Indian Trail, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+17048825555

Visit website

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

Creama Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.1

Marshville, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17048908646

Visit website

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19804985414

Visit website

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 13.2

Matthews, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17048417867

Visit website

Hdmona Cafe Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13.2

Matthews, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17046285072

Visit website

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17049102249

Visit website

Sorella Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 26.5

Monroe, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 92.7

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 53

Wadesboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 92.7

Laurinburg, NC

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 92.7

Laurinburg, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 92.7

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 92.7

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 59.6

Lilesville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.9

Rockingham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

NASCAR Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17046544400

Visit website

Ray’s Splash Planet

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19803144729

Visit website

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 92.7

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19102772456

Visit website

Hamlet Depot & Museums

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 79.5

Hamlet, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19105820603

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 89.9 — 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...
5
32.5 mi into trip | ~41m in | US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Merge onto US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
64.2 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 East: Lumberton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
8
89.9 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | US 74 BUS

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BUS toward US 74 Business: Laurinburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 181 Toward US 74 Business: Laurinburg

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.50 one way

$28.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.85 $31.70
premium $4.70 $17.16 $34.31
diesel $5.61 $20.47 $40.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.8 0 $9.73 $4.45
Efficient EV 23.2 0 $8.11 $3.71
EV Truck/SUV 37.1 0 $12.98 $5.93

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Charlotte, NC

Morning in Charlotte on Sunday

Local time

6:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

91°F

Sunny

SSW 1 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Laurinburg, NC

Morning in Laurinburg on Sunday

Local time

6:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

33 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

2h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed profile, with about 45% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced driving on roads like the G R Kindley Freeway, interspersed with more local road segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is approximately 21 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. As you progress, the character of the drive will shift, moving from more developed highway sections to potentially more rural or town-focused environments as you approach Laurinburg. It’s not an all-interstate grind, nor is it a winding country lane; it's a blend that keeps things interesting without demanding constant attention.

45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 92.7 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 32.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

On the drive from Charlotte, NC to Laurinburg, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.

Wilmington

13.7 mi in | ~19m | via US 74 BYP

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.

Arriving in Laurinburg, NC

Full guide →

Laurinburg is a town in North Carolina. In many ways, Laurinburg is your typical rural North Carolina town, trying to find ways to evolve in the 21st century. There are some examples of historic Carolinan architecture here.

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 2h. Total distance: 92.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 21 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Laurinburg, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 32.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Laurinburg, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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