How far is Charlotte, NC from Sunset Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Sunset Beach, NC is about 188.2 miles (302.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162 miles (260.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 14m 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 04h 07m.
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.
Town in North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Sunset Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Sunset Beach.
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1
Start on South Tryon Street
149 m · 14 sec · South Tryon Street
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2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
1822 ft · 53 sec · East 5th Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on East 5th Street
1774 ft · 56 sec · East 5th Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
1857 ft · 45 sec
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5
Continue on US 74 East: Independence Expressway
3.5 mi · 5 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard
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7
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway
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8
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard
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9
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Independence Boulevard
5.6 mi · 7 min · Independence Boulevard
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11
Continue on West Roosevelt Boulevard
6.9 mi · 9 min · West Roosevelt Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Pageland Highway
14.7 mi · 17 min · Pageland Highway
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13
Continue on Van Lingle Mungo Boulevard
1.2 mi · 1 min · Van Lingle Mungo Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto East Mc Gregor Street
548 ft · 7 sec · East Mc Gregor Street
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15
Continue on McGregor Street
2113 ft · 27 sec · McGregor Street
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16
Continue on Main Street
18.6 mi · 22 min · Main Street
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17
Continue on East Main Street
906 ft · 12 sec · East Main Street
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18
Merge slight right onto East Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · East Boulevard
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19
Continue on Chesterfield Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Chesterfield Highway
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20
Continue on Market Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Front Street
2012 ft · 32 sec · Front Street
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22
Turn right
12.9 mi · 15 min
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23
Turn right onto Cottingham Boulevard North
2.3 mi · 3 min · Cottingham Boulevard North
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto Harris Street
2 mi · 2 min · Harris Street
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25
Turn right
23.8 mi · 29 min
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26
Turn right onto US Highway 301 North
1.5 km · 1 min · US Highway 301 North
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27
Turn left onto East Main Street
12.5 mi · 19 min · East Main Street
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28
Continue on West 3rd Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · West 3rd Avenue
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29
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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30
Continue on Nichols Highway
7.3 mi · 11 min · Nichols Highway
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31
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Nichols Street
2830 ft · 1 min · South Nichols Street
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32
Continue on Highway 76
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 76
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33
Keep slight right
24.3 mi · 30 min
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34
Turn straight
13.1 mi · 18 min
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35
Turn straight onto Sea Mountain Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sea Mountain Highway
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36
Turn left onto Highway 90
1 mi · 2 min · Highway 90
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37
Turn right onto US Highway 17
3.1 mi · 6 min · US Highway 17
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38
Turn slight right
1.3 km · 1 min
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39
Continue on Beach Drive Southwest
2.1 mi · 4 min · Beach Drive Southwest
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40
Continue on Beach Drive Southwest
1.7 mi · 3 min · Beach Drive Southwest
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41
Continue on Shoreline Drive West
1.8 mi · 3 min · Shoreline Drive West
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42
Turn left onto Sunset Boulevard North
586 ft · 16 sec · Sunset Boulevard North
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43
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Sunset Boulevard South
70 m · 5 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
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44
Exit the roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South
1901 ft · 46 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
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45
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Sunset Beach.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Highway 76
Keep slight right
24.3 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Charlotte and Mostly Sunny near Sunset Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Sunset Beach?
The road trip is about 188.2 miles (302.8 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Gibson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94 miles from Charlotte and 94.1 miles from Sunset Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162 miles (260.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 8:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.30 one way or $52.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Charlotte and Mostly Sunny near Sunset Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Gibson
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 Gibson.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Sunset Beach. Straight-line distance: 162 mi (260.71 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 Sunset Beach
City in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 4,172 |
| Coordinates | 33.8807300, -78.5122300 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sunset Beach (-78.51223, 33.88073)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.30 | $52.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.73 | $63.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.34 | $74.69 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.