How far is Charlotte, NC from Carolina Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is about 211.5 miles (340.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Robeson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Carolina Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Carolina Beach.
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1
Start on South Tryon Street
149 m · 14 sec · South Tryon Street
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2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
1822 ft · 53 sec · East 5th Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on East 5th Street
1774 ft · 56 sec · East 5th Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
1857 ft · 45 sec
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5
Continue on US 74 East: Independence Expressway
3.5 mi · 5 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard
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7
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway
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8
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard
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9
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi · 22 min · Monroe Expressway
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11
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
1804 ft · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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12
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
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13
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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14
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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16
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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17
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
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18
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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20
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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21
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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23
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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24
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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25
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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26
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
2537 ft · 48 sec · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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27
Take the exit slight right
6.9 mi · 13 min
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28
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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29
Continue on North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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30
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Carolina Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 01h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlotte and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Carolina Beach?
The road trip is about 211.5 miles (340.3 km) and usually takes 04h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Prospect is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.6 miles from Charlotte and 105.8 miles from Carolina Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.55 one way or $59.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlotte and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect
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 Prospect.
Dillon
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Southern Pines
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Carolina Beach. Straight-line distance: 186.8 mi (300.63 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Beach (-77.8936, 34.03517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 340 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $29.55 | $59.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.04 | $66.08 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $35.64 | $71.29 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $41.96 | $83.91 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.