Traveling from Red Springs to Charlotte covers 111.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 24 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Southeast region of North Carolina, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to complete the journey. With no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to make this a direct run or a leisurely cruise. It is a straightforward route that connects the smaller community of Red Springs to the major urban hub of Charlotte, making it an easy and manageable drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Red Springs, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
31.8 mi
38m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
NC-71
8 mi
10m
Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi
9m
East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 31.8 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Springs, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on 4th Avenue
253 ft·13 sec·4th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Vance Street
458 ft·27 sec·Vance Street
3
Turn left onto NC 71
1.3 mi·2 min·West 3rd Avenue
4
Continue on NC 71
8.0 mi·10 min·NC-71
5
Continue on NC 71
1.8 mi·2 min·Red Springs Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
7
Merge onto US 74
0.2 mi·15 sec·American Indian Highway
8
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
13
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
15
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
16
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
18
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.
19
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.4 mi·27 sec·East Independence Boulevard
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on East 6th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
24
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Tryon Street
25
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids peak traffic near Charlotte. While there are no scheduled stops, keep your fuel levels in mind and consider topping off before you head out to cover the estimated $18 cost. Because the route is only 111.8 miles, you do not need to worry about splitting the drive into multiple days. To make the most of your travel, monitor local traffic reports specifically for the Monroe Expressway and G R Kindley Freeway sections, as these are critical links for reaching the city efficiently.
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 55.9 miles from Red Springs, NC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.8 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 8m 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 58m
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 Red Springs, 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 Red Springs, NC
This is one driving day of about 111.8 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Red Springs, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 31.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 110.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Vance Street
Turn right onto Vance Street
Navigation decision point
6
31.8 mi into trip|~40m 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
46.2 mi into trip|~56m 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
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
110.8 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
$17.48 one way
$34.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.12
$38.23
premium
$4.70
$20.69
$41.38
diesel
$5.61
$24.68
$49.37
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: 39.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.74
$5.37
Efficient EV
28
0
$9.78
$4.47
EV Truck/SUV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.16
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Red Springs, NC
Morning
in Red Springs on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charlotte, NC
Morning
in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SW 3 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Chesterfield, SC
56 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
38 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 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between local roads and higher-speed corridors. You will navigate using a combination of the Andrew Jackson Highway, the Monroe Expressway, and the G R Kindley Freeway. With 41% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter varying road conditions throughout the 111.8-mile trek. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, featuring 31.8 miles on the Andrew Jackson Highway. This combination keeps the drive from feeling monotonous while allowing you to maintain a steady pace as you move toward your destination.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.8 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near Vance 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 11 significant decision points across 111.8 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: near the start (Vance Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 111.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.8 miles on Andrew Jackson 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: near the start (Vance Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charlotte, NC before heading back.
