How far is Banner Elk, NC from Charlotte, NC?
The driving distance from Banner Elk, NC to Charlotte, NC is about 119.3 miles (192 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.7 miles (139.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 20m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Banner Elk and Charlotte.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Banner Elk and Charlotte.
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1
Start on Main Street East
26 m · 10 sec · Main Street East
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2
Turn left onto Shawneehaw Avenue South
2524 ft · 1 min · Shawneehaw Avenue South
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3
Continue on Tynecastle Highway
3.8 mi · 8 min · Tynecastle Highway
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4
Turn left onto NC Highway 105 South
6.3 mi · 10 min · NC Highway 105 South
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5
Turn right onto Shulls Mill Road
2736 ft · 1 min · Shulls Mill Road
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6
Turn right onto Old Turnpike Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Old Turnpike Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Turnpike Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Old Turnpike Road
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8
Turn right onto Shulls Mill Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · Shulls Mill Road
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9
Turn right onto Cone Road
54 m · 11 sec · Cone Road
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10
At the end of the road, turn left
1.6 mi · 3 min
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
1791 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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12
Turn right onto West Cornish Road
597 ft · 28 sec · West Cornish Road
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13
Turn right onto Valley Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · Valley Boulevard
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14
Continue on Lenoir Turnpike
1.2 km · 2 min · Lenoir Turnpike
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15
Continue on Blowing Rock Boulevard
18.5 mi · 29 min · Blowing Rock Boulevard
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16
Continue on Hickory Boulevard Southeast
49.8 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Hickory Boulevard Southeast
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17
Continue on North Chester Street
2300 ft · 41 sec · North Chester Street
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18
Take the exit straight toward I 85 North: Charlotte
1 km · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
10.2 mi · 12 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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20
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
6.8 mi · 8 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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21
Take the exit slight right toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road
1301 ft · 32 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on NC 27: Freedom Drive
538 ft · 13 sec
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23
Continue on NC 27: Freedom Drive
149 m · 12 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on NC 27 East: Downtown
138 m · 11 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Freedom Drive
2 mi · 3 min · Freedom Drive
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26
Turn left onto West Morehead Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Morehead Street
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27
Turn left onto South Tryon Street
1 km · 1 min · South Tryon Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Tryon Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Banner Elk and Charlotte.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Hickory Boulevard Southeast
Continue on Hickory Boulevard Southeast
49.8 mi · 01h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Banner Elk and Mostly Sunny near Charlotte.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Banner Elk to Charlotte?
The road trip is about 119.3 miles (192 km) and usually takes 02h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Brookford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.2 miles from Banner Elk and 64.1 miles from Charlotte.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.7 miles (139.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.68 one way or $33.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Banner Elk and Mostly Sunny near Charlotte.
Stop Ideas Near Brookford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brookford.
Gastonia
Kannapolis
Charlotte
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Banner Elk and Charlotte. Straight-line distance: 86.68 mi (139.49 km).
#1 Banner Elk
Township in Avery County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,082 |
| Coordinates | 36.1631800, -81.8715000 |
| Altitude | 1128 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlotte
The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area.
| Population | 900,350 |
| Coordinates | 35.2270900, -80.8431300 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Tryon Street (-80.843177, 35.227134)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 192 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.68 | $33.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.65 | $37.29 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.12 | $40.23 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.68 | $47.35 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.