How far is Charlotte, NC from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Lake Norman of Catawba, NC is about 33.9 miles (54.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.7 miles (41.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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.
City in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Lake Norman of Catawba.
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1
Start on South Tryon Street
125 m · 11 sec · South Tryon Street
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2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
1114 ft · 31 sec · West 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto South Mint Street
140 m · 16 sec · South Mint Street
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4
Turn left onto West Trade Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Trade Street
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5
Turn right
699 ft · 18 sec
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6
Continue on I 77 North, US 21 North
921 ft · 22 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto I-77 North
1.3 km · 1 min · I-77 North
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
3.5 mi · 5 min · I-77 North
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
2.7 mi · 3 min · I-77 North
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
2.6 mi · 3 min · I-77 North
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11
Continue on I 77 North
1.4 mi · 2 min · I 77 North
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North
2.7 mi · 3 min · I 77 North
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North
2 mi · 2 min · I 77 North
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14
Continue on I-77 North
2.6 mi · 3 min · I-77 North
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
6.7 mi · 8 min · I-77 North
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16
Take the exit slight right toward NC 150: Mooresville, Lincolnton
1217 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on NC 150 West: Lake Norman Airport, Lincolnton
54 m · 11 sec
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18
Turn left onto River Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · River Highway
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19
Turn left onto Kiser Island Road
2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road
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20
Turn left onto Riverwood Road
962 ft · 42 sec · Riverwood Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Riverwood Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I-77 North
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
6.73 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Charlotte and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Lake Norman of Catawba?
The road trip is about 33.9 miles (54.5 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Cornelius is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Charlotte and 16.9 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.7 miles (41.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.71 one way or $9.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Charlotte and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Stop Ideas Near Cornelius
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 Cornelius.
Kannapolis
Charlotte
Gastonia
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Lake Norman of Catawba. Straight-line distance: 25.71 mi (41.37 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 Lake Norman of Catawba
Township in Catawba County, North Carolina
| Population | 5,075 |
| Coordinates | 35.5868000, -80.9595200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Norman of Catawba (-80.95952, 35.5868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.71 | $9.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $5.27 | $10.54 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $5.69 | $11.37 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $6.69 | $13.39 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.