How far is Charlotte, NC from Wake Forest, NC?
The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Wake Forest, NC is about 164.2 miles (264.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.1 miles (227 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 38m 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 19m.
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 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 Wake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Wake Forest.
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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 left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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9
Keep slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
4.3 mi · 5 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 885 South, US 70 East: Raleigh
1.5 mi · 2 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 Business West, NC 98: Durham, Wake Forest
1811 ft · 48 sec
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13
Turn left onto Holloway Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Holloway Street
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14
Continue on Wake Forest Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · Wake Forest Highway
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15
Continue on Durham Road
8.9 mi · 12 min · Durham Road
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16
Turn left onto Durham Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Durham Road
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17
Continue on South Avenue
801 ft · 29 sec · South Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East South Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · East South Avenue
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19
Exit the roundabout onto East South Avenue
116 m · 13 sec · East South Avenue
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20
Continue on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Wake Forest.
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 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 Wake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Wake Forest?
The road trip is about 164.2 miles (264.2 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82 miles from Charlotte and 82.1 miles from Wake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.1 miles (227 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlotte and Sunny near Wake Forest.
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 Wake Forest. Straight-line distance: 141.02 mi (226.95 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 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wake Forest (-78.50972, 35.97987)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.93 | $45.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.66 | $55.33 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.56 | $65.13 |
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.