Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Fruitland, 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

2h 11m

Distance

105.7 mi

170 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 2m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Fruitland, NC, NC

Fruitland, NC

Mark Stebnicki

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

Charlotte, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Fruitland, NC to Charlotte, NC is 105.7 miles and takes about 2h 11m via Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway, Andrew Jackson Highway, and Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically North Carolina, offering a straightforward journey. Expect a local feel rather than a high-speed interstate experience. With only one recommended day and a relatively short duration, this trip is easily manageable for a single day of travel. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.8 miles from Fruitland, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway 18.2 mi 19m
Andrew Jackson Highway 18.1 mi 21m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway 17.6 mi 21m
James A. Callahan Highway 15.2 mi 17m
West Dixon Boulevard 12.4 mi 17m
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway 6.8 mi 7m
Cameron Morrison Bridge 6.8 mi 8m
Fruitland Road 3.1 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway — 18.2 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Old Clear Creek Road

75 ft · 4 sec · Old Clear Creek Road
2

Turn left onto Terrys Gap Road

29 ft · 1 sec · Terrys Gap Road
3

Turn right onto Fruitland Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · Fruitland Road
4

Turn right onto US 64

1.5 mi · 2 min · Chimney Rock Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5

Continue on US 64

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Chimney Rock Road
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 26, US 74, US 25
7

Merge onto I 26; US 74; US 25; US 64 Truck

4.3 mi · 5 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74

12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
9

Take the exit onto US 74

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67 Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74

0.2 mi · 10 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
11

Continue on US 74

18 mi · 19 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
12

Continue on US 74

15 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway
13

Take the exit onto US 74

12 mi · 17 min · West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on US 74

1.8 mi · 2 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
15

Continue on US 74

6.8 mi · 7 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto I 85

18 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on I 85

6.8 mi · 8 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 34 Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
22

Continue on this road

489 ft · 11 sec · this road
Exit 34 Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
23

Keep slight right at fork

451 ft · 11 sec
Toward NC 27 East: Downtown Use the left / right lanes.
24

Turn straight onto NC 27

2.0 mi · 3 min · Freedom Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
25

Turn left onto US 29

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Morehead Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Turn left onto South Tryon Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Tryon Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27

Arrive at destination

South Tryon Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 11m duration, this is a drive you can easily complete in one day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops if needed, though no specific stops are indicated on this route. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Fruitland. Pay close attention to navigation, as the route involves many turns on local roads. A practical tip for this particular drive is to ensure your GPS is updated, as relying solely on road signs might be challenging due to the numerous local road segments.

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 52.8 miles from Fruitland, NC, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 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 23 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.8 miles or 1h 3m 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 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 Fruitland, 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 Fruitland, NC

This is one driving day of about 105.7 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fruitland, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway for about 18.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shelby, NC

53 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.

Popular next leg

Shelby, NC to Charlotte, NC

44.6 mi · 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Landrum, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boiling Springs, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Fruitland, 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 end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 105.7

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Hope House Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest City, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.3

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18283672326

Visit website

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 105.7

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

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 105.7

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

Hope House Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.3

Forest City, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18283672326

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 105.7

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19804985414

Visit website

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 105.7

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17049102249

Visit website

NASCAR Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.7

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17046544400

Visit website

Ray’s Splash Planet

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 105.7

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19803144729

Visit website

Visit Hendersonville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 7.5

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18286939708

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 21.4 and 101.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
21.4 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton

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 67 Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
7
21.7 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
8
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

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: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
101.3 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Take the exit toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34 Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road
8
101.8 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NC 27 East: Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes. Toward NC 27 East: Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.53 one way

$33.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.07 $36.15
premium $4.70 $19.56 $39.13
diesel $5.61 $23.34 $46.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.7 0 $11.10 $5.07
Efficient EV 26.4 0 $9.25 $4.23
EV Truck/SUV 42.3 0 $14.80 $6.76

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fruitland, NC

Late night in Fruitland on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charlotte, NC

Late night in Charlotte on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Shelby, NC

53 mi in

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

7 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

2h 11m 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 route presents a turn-heavy local drive, with no highway share, meaning you'll be navigating local roads for the entire 105.7 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 18.2 miles along the Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed as you transition between different local roads. The drive progresses through varied local landscapes, requiring your attention to road signs and navigation.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.2 mi on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.4 miles in near US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 105.7 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 21.4 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.7 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Fruitland, NC and Charlotte, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton and Spartanburg.

Rutherfordton

21.4 mi in | ~28m | via US 74

Spartanburg

76 mi in | ~1h 33m

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 2h 11m. Total distance: 105.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 18.2 miles on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 21.4 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.7 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Charlotte, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Charlotte, NC

Greenville, NC 247 mi · 4h 44m Rocky Mount, NC 221.5 mi · 4h 15m Southport, NC 210.3 mi · 4h 23m Wrightsboro, NC 202.3 mi · 4h 8m

More from Fruitland, NC

Wilmington, NC 303.9 mi · 6h 13m Fayetteville, NC 235.9 mi · 5h 7m Durham, NC 229 mi · 4h 34m Greensboro, NC 177.7 mi · 3h 34m High Point, NC 165.7 mi · 3h 22m

More trips to Charlotte, NC

Manteo, NC 348.2 mi Elizabeth City, NC 323.3 mi Edenton, NC 296.6 mi Neuse Forest, NC 290.6 mi Plymouth, NC 281.4 mi New Bern, NC 279.4 mi
Escape planner: Fruitland, NC Scenic drives in NC

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.