How far is Charlotte, NC from Richlands, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Richlands, NC is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.7 miles (163.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 31m 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 15m.
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.
Human settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Richlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Richlands.
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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
35.6 mi · 40 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 226: Marion, Shelby
1541 ft · 44 sec
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15
Turn right
15 mi · 22 min
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16
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Turn left onto Peppers Creek Road
4.4 mi · 9 min · Peppers Creek Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Peppers Creek Road
705 ft · 23 sec · Peppers Creek Road
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19
Turn right onto Altapass Highway
4.5 mi · 8 min · Altapass Highway
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20
Turn left
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
21
Turn right onto South NC Highway 226
6.5 mi · 9 min · South NC Highway 226
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22
Turn left onto Mine Creek Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · Mine Creek Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn left
3.1 mi · 5 min
-
24
Turn slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
25
Turn slight left
4.1 mi · 7 min
-
26
Turn right onto Pigeon Roost Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Pigeon Roost Road
-
27
Turn left onto Byrd Creek Road
1.9 mi · 7 min · Byrd Creek Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Byrd Creek Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Richlands.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
Merge slight left
35.6 mi · 00h 40m
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 Richlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Richlands?
The road trip is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Drexel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.3 miles from Charlotte and 70.3 miles from Richlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.7 miles (163.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.9 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 10:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Richlands.
Stop Ideas Near Drexel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Casar Park, Town Hall, & Veterans Memorial
City of Lenoir
Longview Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Drexel.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Spartanburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Richlands. Straight-line distance: 101.72 mi (163.7 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 Richlands
Town in North Carolina, USA
| Population | 1,718 |
| Coordinates | 36.0865000, -82.3143000 |
| Altitude | 1056 |
| Country | United States |
End: Richlands (-82.3143, 36.0865)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.65 | $39.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.97 | $43.94 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.70 | $47.40 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $27.90 | $55.79 |
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.