How far is Charlotte, NC from Wrightsville Beach, NC?

The driving distance from Charlotte, NC to Wrightsville Beach, NC is about 207 miles (333.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
206.98 mi
04h 20m
Flight
186.78 mi
300.6 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlotte.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
186.78 mi
Kilometers
300.6 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
206.98 mi
Kilometers
333.11 km
Drive Time
04h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wrightsville Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 7:30 PM EDT
Return by in Charlotte
Sun, Apr 19, 11:51 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlotte
2026-04-19T15:10
Arrive Wrightsville Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 7:30 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:20 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlotte
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Maxton
NC

City in North Carolina, United States of America

From Charlotte
103.4 mi
02h 10m
To Wrightsville Beach
103.6 mi
02h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph W
Destination
78°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 16 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charlotte and Wrightsville Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte and Wrightsville Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on South Tryon Street

    149 m · 14 sec · South Tryon Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East 5th Street

    1822 ft · 53 sec · East 5th Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on East 5th Street

    1774 ft · 56 sec · East 5th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward NC 27 East, US 74 East

    1857 ft · 45 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on US 74 East: Independence Expressway

    3.5 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard

    109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on East Independence Expressway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on East Independence Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on Independence Boulevard

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway

    18.7 mi · 22 min · Monroe Expressway

  11. 11

    Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    1804 ft · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on West Marshville Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Salisbury Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street

  17. 17

    Continue on West Caswell Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on G R Kindley Freeway

    14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway

  21. 21

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on American Indian Highway

    33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on Ocean Highway East

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East

  26. 26

    Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

  27. 27

    Turn straight

    6.1 mi · 10 min

  28. 28

    Continue on Wrightsville Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · Wrightsville Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Eastwood Road

    147 m · 13 sec · Eastwood Road

  30. 30

    Continue on Wrightsville Avenue

    1488 ft · 34 sec · Wrightsville Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on Causeway Drive

    691 ft · 17 sec · Causeway Drive

  32. 32

    Keep slight right to continue on Causeway Drive

    1.5 km · 2 min · Causeway Drive

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Causeway Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlotte and Wrightsville Beach.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
33 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi · 44%
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 16%
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi · 9%
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 7%
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi · 6%
Independence Boulevard
4.46 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

59.8 mi · 01h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
186.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maxton
02h 10m from Charlotte
Leave By
8:20 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlotte and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Wrightsville Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Wrightsville Beach?

The road trip is about 207 miles (333.1 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?

Maxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.4 miles from Charlotte and 103.6 miles from Wrightsville Beach.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 8:20 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.92 one way or $57.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlotte and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Wrightsville Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Maxton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Maxton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maxton.

RAIL

Dillon

35 mi away
100 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Hamlet

36 mi away
West Main St. and North Bridges St.
RAIL

Southern Pines

49 mi away
235 Northwest Broad Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

55 mi away
472 Hay Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlotte and Wrightsville Beach. Straight-line distance: 186.78 mi (300.6 km).

Charlotte

#1 Charlotte

The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Population900,350
Coordinates35.2270900, -80.8431300
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Wrightsville Beach

#2 Wrightsville Beach

City in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population2,516
Coordinates34.2085000, -77.7963700
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Charlotte (-80.84313, 35.22709)
End: Wrightsville Beach (-77.79637, 34.2085)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 333 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.3 gal
27.65 L · about $28.92
Round trip
$57.83
14.6 gal · 55.3 L
Estimated CO2
64.9 kg one way
Round trip: 129.8 kg / 286 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.92 $57.83
Mid-grade $4.43 $32.33 $64.66
Premium $4.78 $34.88 $69.76
Diesel $5.62 $41.06 $82.11

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlotte and Wrightsville Beach. The current time is 15:10:17.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.