How far is Charlotte, NC from Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Lake Waccamaw, NC is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147 miles (236.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 19m.
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.
Small settlement in a rural area
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Lake Waccamaw.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Lake Waccamaw.
-
1
Start on South Tryon Street
149 m · 14 sec · South Tryon Street
-
2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
1822 ft · 53 sec · East 5th Street
-
3
Keep slight left to continue on East 5th Street
1774 ft · 56 sec · East 5th Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
1857 ft · 45 sec
-
5
Continue on US 74 East: Independence Expressway
3.5 mi · 5 min
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard
-
7
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway
-
8
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard
-
9
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi · 22 min · Monroe Expressway
-
11
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
1804 ft · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
-
12
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
-
13
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
-
14
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
16
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
-
17
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
-
18
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
20
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
-
21
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
23
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
-
24
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
27.8 mi · 31 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
25
Take the exit slight right
2213 ft · 54 sec
-
26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Chauncey Town Road
6 m · 1 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
27
Exit the roundabout onto Chauncey Town Road
2216 ft · 50 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
28
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sam Potts Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sam Potts Highway
-
29
Turn right onto Pecan Lane
1064 ft · 48 sec · Pecan Lane
-
30
Turn right onto West Oak Street
11 m · 2 sec · West Oak Street
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Lake Waccamaw.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
American Indian Highway
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 00h 37m
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 Lake Waccamaw.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Lake Waccamaw?
The road trip is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Hamlet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.9 miles from Charlotte and 82 miles from Lake Waccamaw.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147 miles (236.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Lake Waccamaw.
Stop Ideas Near Hamlet
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 Hamlet.
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Dillon
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Lake Waccamaw. Straight-line distance: 147.04 mi (236.63 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 Lake Waccamaw
Town in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,392 |
| Coordinates | 34.3190600, -78.5000100 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Waccamaw (-78.50001, 34.31906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.89 | $45.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.60 | $51.20 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.62 | $55.23 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.51 | $65.01 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.