How far is Charlotte, NC from Plymouth, NC?

The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Plymouth, NC is about 286.6 miles (461.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 234.4 miles (377.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
286.64 mi
05h 32m
Flight
234.37 mi
377.18 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlotte.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
234.37 mi
Kilometers
377.18 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
286.64 mi
Kilometers
461.31 km
Drive Time
05h 32m

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 05h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Plymouth
Sun, Apr 19, 10:57 AM EDT
Return by in Charlotte
Sun, Apr 19, 4:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlotte
2026-04-19T05:24
Arrive Plymouth
Sun, Apr 19, 10:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:33 AM to 1:33 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:54 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlotte
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Durham
NC

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.

From Charlotte
143.2 mi
02h 46m
To Plymouth
143.5 mi
02h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph W
Destination
86°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Plymouth.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Plymouth.

  1. 1

    Start on South Tryon Street

    3.5 mi · 7 min · South Tryon Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · West Sugar Creek Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 85 North: Concord

    941 ft · 23 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Julius Chambers Highway

    45.4 mi · 52 min · Julius Chambers Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point

    32.8 mi · 35 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    30.3 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest

    2664 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    9.2 mi · 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

    1.2 km · 58 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    16.8 mi · 18 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    79.6 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  15. 15

    Turn right

    19.7 mi · 28 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    3104 ft · 1 min · Washington Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    677 ft · 31 sec · East Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn left

    57 m · 19 sec

  19. 19

    Turn uturn

    58 m · 19 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Plymouth.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
97.1 mi · 34%
Julius Chambers Highway
45.4 mi · 16%
US 29
42.7 mi · 15%
I 85 North
33 mi · 12%
I 40 East
30.3 mi · 11%
I 440 East
9.7 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

79.6 mi · 01h 26m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.2 mi
234.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Durham
02h 46m from Charlotte
Leave By
5:54 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlotte and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plymouth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Plymouth?

The road trip is about 286.6 miles (461.3 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?

Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.2 miles from Charlotte and 143.5 miles from Plymouth.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 234.4 miles (377.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:54 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.09 one way or $80.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlotte and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plymouth.

Stop Ideas Near Durham

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Durham and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 1.2 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 8.7 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 12.2 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 7.2 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.

RAIL

Durham

1 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Cary

25 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

28 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

34 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Plymouth. Straight-line distance: 234.37 mi (377.18 km).

Charlotte

#1 Charlotte

The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Population900,350
Coordinates35.2270900, -80.8431300
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Plymouth

#2 Plymouth

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population3,332
Coordinates35.8668300, -76.7485600
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Charlotte (-80.84313, 35.22709)
End: Plymouth (-76.74856, 35.86683)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 461 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.12 gal
38.29 L · about $40.09
Round trip
$80.17
20.24 gal · 76.58 L
Estimated CO2
89.9 kg one way
Round trip: 179.9 kg / 397 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $40.09 $80.17
Mid-grade $4.43 $44.82 $89.64
Premium $4.78 $48.35 $96.71
Diesel $5.62 $56.91 $113.83

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

There is no time difference between Charlotte and Plymouth. The current time is 05:24:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.