Charlotte, NC to Rose Hill, NC is 194.3 miles and takes about 4 hours 18 minutes via NC 41 and Andrew Jackson Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll experience a mix of highway driving and surface roads on this relatively short, single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive without extensive planning, perfect for a quick trip.
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
97.1 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 41
34.8 mi
47m
Andrew Jackson Highway
31.2 mi
37m
American Indian Highway
18.9 mi
20m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
East Elizabethtown Road
15.1 mi
22m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
North Poplar Street
7.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
NC 41
— 34.8 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Rose Hill, 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 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 right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 74
19 mi·20 min·American Indian Highway
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 209BToward I 95 North, US 301 North: Lumberton, Fayetteville
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, US 301 North: Lumberton, Fayetteville
26
Merge onto I 95; US 301
5.8 mi·6 min·I 95; US 301
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NC 211: Lumberton, Red Springs
28
Turn right onto NC 211
1.5 mi·2 min·North Roberts Avenue
29
Turn left onto NC 41
15 mi·22 min·East Elizabethtown Road
30
Enter roundabout onto NC 41
113 ft·1 sec·NC 41
31
Continue on NC 41
1.7 mi·2 min·NC 41
32
Turn right onto NC 41; NC 87
4.4 mi·5 min·NC 41; NC 87
33
Take the exit
408 ft·11 sec
34
Continue on Peanut Road
1.9 mi·2 min·Peanut Road
35
Turn right onto NC 41; NC 87 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·West Broad Street
36
Turn left onto US 701; NC 41
7.3 mi·10 min·North Poplar Street
37
Turn right onto NC 41
29 mi·40 min·NC 41
38
Turn left onto Butterball Road
1.4 mi·5 min·Butterball Road
39
At end of road, turn right onto Cornwallis Road
490 ft·19 sec·Cornwallis Road
40
Turn left onto SR 1146
3.8 mi·5 min·Wells Town Road
41
Continue on Lake Tut Road
0.4 mi·33 sec·Lake Tut Road
42
At end of road, turn right onto West South Street
204 ft·5 sec·West South Street
43
Continue on SR 1102
0.4 mi·1 min·West Charity Road
44
Turn left onto US 117
0.4 mi·49 sec·South Sycamore Street
45
Arrive at destination
US 117
Trip Plan
Given the drive time of just over 4 hours, starting your trip in Charlotte, NC, in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Rose Hill, NC, well before evening. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so ensure your tank is full before departing. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 34.8 miles on NC 41, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on the road type as you transition from highway sections to surface roads to adjust your speed 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 97.1 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 43 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 2h 4m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rose Hill, 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 194.3 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 NC 41 for about 34.8 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 119.6 — 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...
6
89.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
119 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North, US 301 North: Lumberton, Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 209B
Toward I 95 North, US 301 North: Lumberton, Fay...
6
119.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, US 301 North: Lumberton, Fayetteville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 301 North: Lumberton, Fay...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.90 one way
$61.81 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$33.70
$67.39
premium
$4.78
$36.56
$73.11
diesel
$5.35
$40.93
$81.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.3
0
$20.40
$9.33
Efficient EV
48.6
0
$17.00
$7.77
EV Truck/SUV
77.7
0
$27.20
$12.44
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 2, 2026
Origin
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon
in Charlotte on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 1 to 7 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 3:15PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 3:15PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Rose Hill, NC
Afternoon
in Rose Hill on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
NE 1 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 3:15PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 3:15PM EDT until June 2 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
6 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
4h 18m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 180.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 41% of this drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a stretch of 34.8 miles on NC 41, which is the longest continuous section without a major road change. Expect a transition from more developed highway environments to potentially more rural cruising as you move between these main arteries. The mixed profile means you'll shift between faster travel and slower speeds on local roads.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.8 mi on NC 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 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 27 significant decision points across 194.3 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 89.9 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
763 ft51 ft
Total Climb
178 ft
Total Descent
843 ft
Highest Point
763 ft
Elevation Range
712 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 Rose Hill, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington, Fayetteville and Red Springs.
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 18m. Total distance: 194.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.8 miles on NC 41. 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 Rose Hill, 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 89.9 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Rose Hill, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
