Pine Knoll Shores to Charlotte is 279.1 miles and takes about 6h 11m via Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With the majority of this trip on surface roads, expect a more local pace than a pure interstate cruise. It's a solid option if you're looking for a single-day trip without the rush of high-speed highways.
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
139.5 miles from Pine Knoll Shores, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
73.8 mi
1h 27m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Burgaw Highway
30.6 mi
43m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Emerald Drive
10.8 mi
18m
NC 11
10.3 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Knoll Shores, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on Ash Court
215 ft·9 sec·Ash Court
2
Turn right onto Loblolly Drive
0.2 mi·35 sec·Loblolly Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Mimosa Boulevard
0.2 mi·36 sec·Mimosa Boulevard
4
Turn right onto NC 58
5.7 mi·10 min·Salter Path Road
5
Continue on NC 58
8.4 mi·14 min·Emerald Drive
Use the straight lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto NC 58
82 ft·1 sec·Emerald Drive
7
Continue on NC 58
2.4 mi·4 min·Emerald Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto NC 24
2.9 mi·6 min·Cedar Point Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on NC 24
3.2 mi·7 min·West Corbett Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi·11 min·Freedom Way
11
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Lejeune Boulevard
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Lejeune Boulevard
13
Turn slight right onto NC 24 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·Johnson Boulevard
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Marine Boulevard
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
16
Continue on NC 53
31 mi·43 min·Burgaw Highway
17
Turn straight onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Bridges Street
18
Turn left onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Walker Street
19
Turn right onto NC 53
3.2 mi·5 min·East Wilmington Street
20
Turn left onto Malpass Corner Road
8.2 mi·11 min·Malpass Corner Road
21
Continue on NC 210
8.7 mi·13 min·Borough Road
22
Turn left onto NC 11
10 mi·14 min·NC 11
23
Merge onto US 74; US 76
42 mi·48 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
25
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
30
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
32
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
33
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
35
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.
36
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.4 mi·27 sec·East Independence Boulevard
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell StreetUse the slight right lane.
40
Continue on East 6th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
41
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Tryon Street
42
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Pine Knoll Shores to maximize your daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition to surface roads where stations might be less frequent than on interstates. The longest stretch without a break is 73.8 miles, so plan your refueling and rest stops accordingly before hitting that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.5 miles from Pine Knoll Shores, NC, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 61 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
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 Pine Knoll Shores, 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 Pine Knoll Shores, NC
This is one driving day of about 279.1 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Pine Knoll Shores, 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 73.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 278 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.9 mi into trip|~30m in|NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard
Turn left onto NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
199 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
213.4 mi into trip|~4h 42m 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
246.7 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
278 mi into trip|~6h 8m 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
$40.35 one way
$80.70 round trip
$3.67/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.54
$91.07
premium
$4.55
$50.02
$100.04
diesel
$5.65
$62.13
$124.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.7
1
$29.31
$13.40
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.42
$11.16
EV Truck/SUV
111.6
1
$39.07
$17.86
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Morning
in Pine Knoll Shores on Sunday
Local time
7:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Chance Light Rain
N 25 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 9:50PM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 9:45PM EDT until October 18 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Charlotte, NC
Morning
in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
7:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
NNE 8 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 9:50PM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 9:45PM EDT until October 18 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
12 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
6h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 17% on highways. You'll spend the bulk of your time on local routes like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway. The longest stretch on a single highway is 73.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. Be prepared for more frequent stops and slower speeds as you transition away from the limited highway miles.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 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 16.9 miles in near NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard.
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 21 significant decision points across 279.1 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 16.9 miles (NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 199 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.4 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 6h 11m. Total distance: 279.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles (NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 199 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.4 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield and Cape Lookout National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
