How far is Charlotte, NC from Rutherfordton, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Rutherfordton, NC is about 71.7 miles (115.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.6 miles (102.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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 33m.
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.
City in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States
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 Rutherfordton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Rutherfordton.
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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
24.1 mi · 30 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
3242 ft · 50 sec
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7
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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8
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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9
Continue on East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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10
Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 221: Rutherfordton, Spartanburg
1919 ft · 47 sec
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12
Turn right
5.3 mi · 8 min
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Rutherfordton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Freedom Drive
Merge slight left
24.1 mi · 00h 30m
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 Rutherfordton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Rutherfordton?
The road trip is about 71.7 miles (115.4 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Archdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.8 miles from Charlotte and 35.9 miles from Rutherfordton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.6 miles (102.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 3:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.09 one way or $22.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Rutherfordton.
Stop Ideas Near Archdale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Downtown Shelby Fountain Park
Shelby City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Archdale.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Spartanburg
Kannapolis
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Rutherfordton. Straight-line distance: 63.56 mi (102.29 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 Rutherfordton
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,090 |
| Coordinates | 35.3692900, -81.9567700 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rutherfordton (-81.95677, 35.36929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.09 | $22.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.40 | $24.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.38 | $26.76 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.75 | $31.49 |
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.