How far is Charlotte, NC from Morganton, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Morganton, NC is about 74.9 miles (120.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m 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 01h 35m.
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.
County seat in North Carolina
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 Morganton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Morganton.
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1
Start on South Tryon Street
1 km · 1 min · South Tryon Street
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2
Turn right onto West Morehead Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Morehead Street
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3
Turn right onto Freedom Drive
2.1 mi · 3 min · Freedom Drive
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1678 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left
17.3 mi · 22 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 321 North: Lincolnton
1736 ft · 45 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto North Chester Street
3070 ft · 52 sec · North Chester Street
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8
Continue on Gastonia Dallas Highway
31.5 mi · 37 min · Gastonia Dallas Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Statesville, Asheville
911 ft · 22 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Asheville
2074 ft · 51 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Asheville
2108 ft · 51 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Asheville
1 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
16.8 mi · 19 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 18: Morganton, Shelby
1300 ft · 34 sec
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15
Turn right onto South Sterling Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Sterling Street
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16
Continue on South Green Street
1735 ft · 1 min · South Green Street
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17
Turn right onto East Concord Street
99 m · 13 sec · East Concord Street
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18
Turn left
31 m · 7 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Morganton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Gastonia Dallas Highway
Continue on Gastonia Dallas Highway
31.5 mi · 00h 37m
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.
Sunny leaving Charlotte and Sunny near Morganton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Morganton?
The road trip is about 74.9 miles (120.6 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?
Lincolnton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.5 miles from Charlotte and 37.5 miles from Morganton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 3:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.46 one way or $20.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Morganton.
Stop Ideas Near Lincolnton
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 Lincolnton.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Morganton. Straight-line distance: 59.37 mi (95.55 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 Morganton
City in Burke County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 16,625 |
| Coordinates | 35.7454100, -81.6848200 |
| Altitude | 352 |
| Country | United States |
End: Morganton (-81.68482, 35.74541)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 121 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.46 | $20.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $11.69 | $23.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $12.61 | $25.23 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $14.85 | $29.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.