How far is Forest City, NC from Charlotte, NC?

The driving distance from Forest City, NC to Charlotte, NC is about 65.6 miles (105.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
65.59 mi
01h 13m
Flight
58.11 mi
93.52 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forest City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
58.11 mi
Kilometers
93.52 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
65.59 mi
Kilometers
105.55 km
Drive Time
01h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlotte
Sat, Apr 18, 4:45 AM EDT
Return by in Forest City
Sat, Apr 18, 5:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forest City
2026-04-18T03:31
Arrive Charlotte
Sat, Apr 18, 4:45 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forest City
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Kings Mountain
NC

City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Forest City
32.1 mi
00h 37m
To Charlotte
33.5 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph WSW
Destination
92°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Forest City and Charlotte.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest City and Charlotte.

  1. 1

    Start on Cherry Mountain Street

    17 m · 4 sec · Cherry Mountain Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    1058 ft · 54 sec · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Broadway Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Broadway Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    907 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Solon David Smart Memorial Highway

    11.7 mi · 14 min · Solon David Smart Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard

    12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

    6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg

    572 ft · 8 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

    1.3 km · 56 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

    17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

    6.8 mi · 8 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road

    1301 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on NC 27: Freedom Drive

    538 ft · 13 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on NC 27: Freedom Drive

    149 m · 12 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on NC 27 East: Downtown

    138 m · 11 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Freedom Drive

    2 mi · 3 min · Freedom Drive

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Morehead Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Morehead Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Tryon Street

    1 km · 1 min · South Tryon Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Tryon Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest City and Charlotte.

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
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 27%
West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 19%
Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
11.7 mi · 18%
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.82 mi · 10%
Cameron Morrison Bridge
6.82 mi · 10%
Freedom Drive
2.03 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

17.6 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.5 mi
58.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kings Mountain
00h 37m from Forest City
Leave By
4:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Forest City and Mostly Sunny near Charlotte.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Forest City to Charlotte?

The road trip is about 65.6 miles (105.6 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?

Kings Mountain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.1 miles from Forest City and 33.5 miles from Charlotte.

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

The direct path is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 4:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.15 one way or $18.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Forest City and Mostly Sunny near Charlotte.

Stop Ideas Near Kings Mountain

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Kings Mountain and the surrounding midpoint area.
Downtown Shelby Fountain Park
Scenic stop 10.7 mi away

Downtown Shelby Fountain Park

Shelby , NC
17876, Shelby, NC 28150, United States
Rating 3.5/5 2 reviews Park
Shelby City Hall
Meeting point 10.7 mi away

Shelby City Hall

Shelby , NC
300 S Washington St, Shelby, NC 28150
Rating 2.9/5 12 reviews City government office,City administration,City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kings Mountain.

RAIL

Gastonia

16 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Charlotte

47 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Spartanburg

63 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Kannapolis

71 mi away
201 South Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forest City and Charlotte. Straight-line distance: 58.11 mi (93.52 km).

Forest City

#1 Forest City

Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States

Population7,138
Coordinates35.3340100, -81.8651000
Altitude309
CountryUnited States
Charlotte

#2 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
Start: Cherry Mountain Street (-81.864991, 35.333988)
End: South Tryon Street (-80.843177, 35.227134)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 106 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.31 gal
8.76 L · about $9.15
Round trip
$18.30
4.62 gal · 17.52 L
Estimated CO2
20.5 kg one way
Round trip: 41.1 kg / 91 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $9.15 $18.30
Mid-grade $4.43 $10.23 $20.46
Premium $4.78 $11.04 $22.07
Diesel $5.62 $12.99 $25.98

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

There is no time difference between Forest City and Charlotte. The current time is 03:31:10.

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.