Long Beach, NC to Charlotte, NC is 209.8 miles and takes about 4h 22m via Andrew Jackson Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. You'll primarily be on surface roads, so expect a more scenic, less hurried pace than a pure interstate drive. With a single recommended day, this route is well-suited for a straightforward trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
104.9 miles from Long Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
65.9 mi
1h 16m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Green Swamp Road Northwest
25.6 mi
35m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
9 mi
12m
Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 65.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on East Beach Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Beach Drive
2
Turn right onto Southeast 43rd Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Southeast 43rd Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Oak Island Drive
2.6 mi·4 min·East Oak Island Drive
4
Turn right onto NC 906
4.1 mi·6 min·North Middleton Street
5
Turn left onto NC 211
9.0 mi·12 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on NC 211
26 mi·35 min·Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
8
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
9
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
10
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306BToward US 74 West: MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
15
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
17
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
18
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.4 mi·27 sec·East Independence Boulevard
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell StreetUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on East 6th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
26
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Tryon Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Long Beach in the morning to take advantage of the 4h 22m drive time and arrive in Charlotte with daylight to spare. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility with your schedule. Plan for one stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel; with an estimated cost of $32, it's wise to fill up before embarking on the longest stretch of 65.9 miles on Andrew Jackson 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 104.9 miles from Long Beach, NC, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.9 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 46 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.9 miles or 2h 9m 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 32m
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 Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 209.8 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Long Beach, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 65.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 208.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Southeast 43rd Street
Turn right onto Southeast 43rd Street
Navigation decision point
6
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
177.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
208.8 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
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 Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.59 one way
$61.19 round trip
$3.70/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.18
$34.53
$69.05
premium
$4.59
$37.88
$75.76
diesel
$5.68
$46.88
$93.77
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: 73.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.03
$10.07
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.36
$8.39
EV Truck/SUV
83.9
1
$29.37
$13.43
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, NC
Morning
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
SW 8 to 14 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Charlotte, NC
Morning
in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
9:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 14 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 22m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 36.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 18% on highways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 65.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway before transitioning to American Indian Highway and Green Swamp Road Northwest. Expect a consistent pace on these roads, with fewer exits and more rural cruising compared to a high-speed highway.
Only 18% 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: 65.9 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.1 miles in near Southeast 43rd Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 209.8 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 0.1 miles (Southeast 43rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 129.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.2 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 22m. Total distance: 209.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. 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 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Southeast 43rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 129.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.2 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Charlotte, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
