How far is Charlotte, NC from Knightdale, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Knightdale, NC is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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 03h 25m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Knightdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Knightdale.
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1
Start on South Tryon Street
3.5 mi · 7 min · South Tryon Street
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2
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Sugar Creek Road
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 85 North: Concord
941 ft · 23 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Julius Chambers Highway
45.4 mi · 52 min · Julius Chambers Highway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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7
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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9
Keep slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
4.3 mi · 5 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 885 South, US 70 East: Raleigh
2.6 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on South Miami Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · South Miami Boulevard
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13
Continue on New Raleigh Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway
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14
Continue on Glenwood Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 540: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
649 ft · 16 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 540 East: Wake Forest
1.6 km · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
18.9 mi · 20 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 Business East: Knightdale
1358 ft · 33 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Knightdale Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Knightdale Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto North Smithfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · North Smithfield Road
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21
Turn left onto Railroad Street
135 m · 20 sec · Railroad Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Knightdale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Julius Chambers Highway
Merge slight left onto Julius Chambers Highway
45.4 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Sunny leaving Charlotte and Sunny near Knightdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Knightdale?
The road trip is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.8 miles from Charlotte and 86.9 miles from Knightdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.4 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 10:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.28 one way or $48.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Knightdale.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
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 Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Knightdale. Straight-line distance: 138.4 mi (222.74 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 Knightdale
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 18,122 |
| Coordinates | 35.7876500, -78.4805600 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knightdale (-78.48056, 35.78765)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.