How far is Charlotte, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 171 miles (275.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m 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 02h 32m.
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.
Town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States
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 Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Raleigh.
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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 right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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11
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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12
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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13
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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15
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Raleigh.
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 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 Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 171 miles (275.2 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.2 miles from Charlotte and 88.8 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.88 one way or $47.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
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 Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 129.59 mi (208.56 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 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 275 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.88 | $47.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.71 | $53.41 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.81 | $57.62 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.91 | $67.83 |
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 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.