How far is Fuquay-Varina, NC from Charlotte, NC?
Fastest route
The distance from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, to Charlotte, North Carolina, is approximately 159 miles (256 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 2 hours and 40 minutes. The route includes tolls. Here are the directions to get from Fuquay-Varina to Charlotte:
Directions
- Head east on W Academy St toward S Main St.
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto N Main St.
- Get on NC-540 from NC-55 W and NC-55 Bypass W.
- Turn left onto Wake Chapel Rd.
- Turn left onto NC-55 W/Broad St and continue to follow NC-55 W.
- Continue onto NC-55 Bypass W.
- Use the right lane to take the NC-540 N/Triangle Expwy ramp (Toll road).
- Follow US-64 W and I-85 S to W 11th St in Charlotte. Take exit 3B from I-277 S (Toll road).
- Take exit 59 A-B for US-64 toward Apex/Pittsboro (Toll road).
- Keep left to continue toward US-64 W (Toll road).
- Keep right to continue on Exit 59B, follow signs for US-64 W/Pittsboro and merge onto US-64 W.
- Take the US-64 W ramp to Lexington.
- Turn left to merge onto I-85 S toward Charlotte.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 38 for I-77 S/US-21 S toward Columbia.
- Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-77 Express Ln (Toll road).
- Use the left lane to merge onto I-277 S.
- Take exit 3B for Eleventh St/Church St/Tryon St.
- Drive to N Tryon St.
- Turn right onto N Tryon St, and you'll arrive in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan your trip in advance and consider traffic conditions to ensure a smooth journey.
- 🛣️ Make sure to have sufficient funds for tolls along the way.
- 📱 Use GPS or navigation apps to stay on the correct route.
- 🍔 Take a break during your journey to grab some food and refresh.
- ⛽ Check your vehicle's fuel level before embarking on the trip.
- 🚦 Observe speed limits and traffic rules for a safe drive.
- 🚧 Stay updated on road closures or construction work that may affect your route.
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 02h 44m.
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.
Town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fuquay-Varina and Charlotte.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fuquay-Varina and Charlotte.
-
1
Start on West Academy Street
18 m · 10 sec · West Academy Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1746 ft · 58 sec · North Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto Wake Chapel Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Wake Chapel Road
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Broad Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Broad Street
-
5
Continue on GB Alford Highway
5.1 mi · 7 min · GB Alford Highway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll West
1099 ft · 27 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Triangle Expressway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
1111 ft · 27 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
1902 ft · 46 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Pittsboro
1274 ft · 31 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
32 mi · 42 min
-
12
Take the exit right
1943 ft · 47 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi · 31 min · Isaac Brooks Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
1107 ft · 27 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
1.3 km · 2 min
-
16
Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop
4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
18
Keep slight left
77 mi · 1 hr 24 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Sugar Creek Road
750 ft · 26 sec
-
20
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Sugar Creek Road
-
21
Turn right onto North Tryon Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Tryon Street
-
22
Continue on North Church Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Church Street
-
23
Continue on North Tryon Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tryon Street
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Tryon Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fuquay-Varina and Charlotte.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 South
Keep slight left
77 mi · 01h 24m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Fuquay-Varina and Rain Showers Likely near Charlotte.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fuquay-Varina to Charlotte?
The road trip is about 162.9 miles (262.1 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.5 miles from Fuquay-Varina and 81.4 miles from Charlotte.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.7 miles (189.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.78 one way or $45.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Fuquay-Varina and Rain Showers Likely near Charlotte.
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 Fuquay-Varina and Charlotte. Straight-line distance: 117.68 mi (189.38 km).
#1 Fuquay-Varina
City in North Carolina
| Population | 32,145 |
| Coordinates | 35.5843200, -78.8000100 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: South Tryon Street (-80.843177, 35.227134)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.78 | $45.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.47 | $50.93 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.47 | $54.95 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.34 | $64.68 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.