Charlotte to Maury is 241.9 miles and takes about 4h 42m via I 40 and US 264, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mostly highway drive for the majority of your trip. Since it's a single-day drive, you'll have flexibility in your departure time. This route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B within the state.
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
120.9 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
67.1 mi
1h 17m
US 264
46.3 mi
52m
Julius Chambers Highway
45.4 mi
51m
I 85
32.8 mi
35m
I 87
16.8 mi
17m
I 440
9.2 mi
11m
US 29
5.9 mi
6m
South Main Street
5.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 67.1 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,996 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,827
Quietest
2 AM
~484 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Maury, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
3.5 mi·7 min·South Tryon Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.4 mi·2 min·West Sugar Creek Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 85 North: Concord
4
Merge onto I 85
45 mi·51 min·Julius Chambers Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
33 mi·35 min·I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High PointUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
5.9 mi·6 min·US 29
Toward US 29, US 70Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·42 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi·34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: RaleighUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728
3.1 mi·3 min·Wade Avenue
Exit 289Toward Wade AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
11
Merge onto I 440; US 1
9.2 mi·11 min·I 440; US 1
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·57 sec
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, GreenvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264
17 mi·17 min·I 87; US 64; US 264
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 264
42 mi·45 min·US 264
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 42
16
Continue on US 264
4.0 mi·6 min·US 264
17
Turn right onto US 258
5.5 mi·7 min·South Main Street
18
Turn left onto NC 123
2.7 mi·4 min·NC 123
19
Turn left onto Maury Depot Street
156 ft·6 sec·Maury Depot Street
20
Arrive at destination
Maury Depot Street
Trip Plan
This route is perfectly doable in a single day, so you can leave Charlotte whenever is most convenient for you. With a total drive time of under 5 hours, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. The longest stretch on I 40 is over 67 miles, so make sure you have enough fuel before you hit that segment. Given the relatively short distance, you can afford to be flexible with stops. Plan to refuel and take a break before you begin the final leg on US 264 and Julius Chambers Highway.
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 120.9 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.1 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.9 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maury, 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 241.9 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 I 40 for about 67.1 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.5 and 169.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29, US 70
7
126 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
156.3 mi into trip|~3h in|SR 1728 / Wade Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Wade Avenue
7
169.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
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 I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.43 one way
$76.86 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$41.90
$83.81
premium
$4.78
$45.52
$91.05
diesel
$6.18
$58.85
$117.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.6
0
$25.40
$11.61
Efficient EV
60.5
0
$21.17
$9.68
EV Truck/SUV
96.8
1
$33.87
$15.48
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Charlotte, NC
Night
in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
9:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
NE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 6:28AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Maury, NC
Night
in Maury on Sunday
Local time
9:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 75% of this 241.9-mile drive. The longest stretch without a major road change is 67.1 miles on I 40. After that, expect to transition to US 264 and Julius Chambers Highway, which will feel more like surface roads. Keep an eye out for the frequent exits as you navigate the interstate portions.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.5 miles in near I 85.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 241.9 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 50.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
887 ft77 ft
Total Climb
449 ft
Total Descent
1,135 ft
Highest Point
887 ft
~69.1 mi in
Elevation Range
810 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 Maury, NC, road signs point toward High Point, Wilson and Greenville.
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 4h 42m. Total distance: 241.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Maury, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Maury, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
