Trip from Edenton, NC to Charlotte, NC

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

Drive Time

5h 48m

Distance

296.6 mi

477 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 35m ★

6 AM

5h 48m

8 AM

6h 15m

10 AM

5h 58m

12 PM

5h 55m

3 PM

5h 59m

5 PM

6h 13m

8 PM

5h 41m

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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town in Chowan County, North Carolina, United States

Edenton, NC

Wikimedia Commons

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

Charlotte, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 304.7-mile journey from Edenton, NC, to Charlotte, NC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $49, it's an economical option for traversing the Southeast. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by a 0% highway share, suggesting a more involved driving experience. You'll navigate through familiar towns and countryside as you make your way across North Carolina. This drive is best tackled in one go, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

148.3 miles from Edenton, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 85	119.3 mi	2h 13m
US 13	56.5 mi	1h 1m
Ocean Highway	35.2 mi	44m
US 64 Bypass	27.8 mi	29m
Northern Wake Expressway	15.4 mi	16m
South Miami Boulevard	9.3 mi	12m
I 40	7.7 mi	9m
US 29	5.4 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 85 — 119.3 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Edenton, NC and Charlotte, NC.

Start on Court Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Court Street

Turn left onto East Queen Street

429 ft · 22 sec · East Queen Street

Turn right onto US 17 Business

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Broad Street

Turn left onto West Albemarle Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Albemarle Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto US 17

35 mi · 44 min · Ocean Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 13; US 64

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · US 13; US 64

Continue on US 64 Bypass

28 mi · 29 min · US 64 Bypass

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road

Keep slight right at fork

309 ft · 7 sec

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road

Turn right onto Rolesville Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road

Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Marks Creek Road

Turn right onto Horton Road

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Horton Road

Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

3.8 mi · 6 min · Buffaloe Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 23 sec

Merge onto I 540

15 mi · 16 min · Northern Wake Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 70 West: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 70

1.9 mi · 2 min · Glenwood Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 70

2.5 mi · 3 min · New Raleigh Highway

Continue on US 70

9.3 mi · 12 min · South Miami Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

42 mi · 48 min · I 85; US 70

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29

5.4 mi · 5 min · US 29

Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

77 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 85

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec

Exit 41 Toward Sugar Creek Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Sugar Creek Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto US 29; NC 49

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Tryon Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 29; NC 49

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Church Street

Continue on US 29; NC 49

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Tryon Street

Arrive at destination

South Tryon Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 44-minute duration and the local road nature of this 304.7-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Edenton to maximize daylight. While there's only one stop recommended, you'll want to factor in additional brief pauses for fuel and to stretch your legs, especially since the 'longest stretch' isn't a major interstate segment. The $49 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but monitor your gauge. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the main roads listed – East Queen Street, Broad Street, and West Albemarle Street – as they will be key to staying on track through the initial and final legs of your journey.

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 148.3 miles from Edenton, NC, or about 2h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.3 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 65 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 148.3 miles or 2h 56m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Edenton, 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 Edenton, NC

This is one driving day of about 296.6 miles and 5h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Edenton, 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 85 for about 119.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Durham, NC

148 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

Rocky Mount, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Durham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 148.3 miles from Edenton, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.3 miles.

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 end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 296.6

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

1 mi

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 275.4

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kannapolis, North Carolina

2.2 mi

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.2 mi

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 296.6

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.7

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12524435094

Visit website

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 296.6

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

The Pickled Onion Restaurant & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 127.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19192951411

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 275.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 275.4

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 296.6

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19804985414

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 275.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Editions - Coffee and Bookstore

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 275.4

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17049251406

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 84.7

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 190.7

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 190.7

Burlington, North Carolina

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 84.7

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 211.9

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 169.5

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Ray’s Splash Planet

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 296.6

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19803144729

Visit website

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 211.9

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 121.9 and 291.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

121.9 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road

144.8 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in

Take the exit toward US 70 West: Durham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 70 West: Durham

159.1 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | I 85; US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

209 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...

291.4 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in

Take the exit toward Sugar Creek Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 41 Toward Sugar Creek Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.38 one way

$92.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$50.71	$101.43
premium	$4.70	$54.89	$109.79
diesel	$5.61	$65.49	$130.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89	1	$31.14	$14.24
Efficient EV	74.2	0	$25.95	$11.86
EV Truck/SUV	118.6	1	$41.52	$18.98

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Edenton, NC

Night in Edenton on Saturday

Local time

9:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charlotte, NC

Night in Charlotte on Saturday

Local time

9:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

1 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

5h 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating local streets and roads for the entire 304.7 miles, rather than cruising on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests frequent turns and changes in speed. You'll likely experience a more intimate connection with the landscape and communities as you drive through them. This kind of route requires your full attention, as you'll be managing traffic signals and varied road conditions.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 119.3 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 22 significant decision points across 296.6 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 121.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 144.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.1 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving 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 5h 48m. Total distance: 296.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 119.3 miles on I 85. 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 Charlotte, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Charlotte, NC before the return drive.

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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Explore more options from Edenton, NC or browse trips ending in Charlotte, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.

Trip from Edenton, NC to Charlotte, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

French Quarter Restaurant

Verb Coffee

French Quarter Restaurant

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

The Pickled Onion Restaurant & Bar

Verb Coffee

French Express Coffee House

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

Koco Java coffee llc

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

Editions - Coffee and Bookstore

Tesla Supercharger

Nissan Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Universal Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Gold Park

Ray’s Splash Planet

Bell Tower Green

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

Alamance County Historical Museum

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Edenton, NC

Charlotte, NC

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 48m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Charlotte, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Charlotte, NC

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