How far is Hays, NC from Charlotte, NC?

The driving distance from Hays, NC to Charlotte, NC is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m 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
92.78 mi
01h 35m
Flight
72.3 mi
116.35 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hays.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.3 mi
Kilometers
116.35 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
92.78 mi
Kilometers
149.31 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlotte
Thu, Jun 4, 2:44 AM EDT
Return by in Hays
Thu, Jun 4, 4:20 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hays
2026-06-04T01:09
Arrive Charlotte
Thu, Jun 4, 2:44 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hays
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
Statesville
NC

City in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States

From Hays
43.6 mi
00h 47m
To Charlotte
49.2 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Jun 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph SE
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Thu, Jun 4 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Charlotte.

  1. 1

    Start on Traphill Road

    9 m · 1 sec · Traphill Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Rock Creek Road

    5.1 mi · 8 min · Rock Creek Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Elkin Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Elkin Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Road 2327

    1995 ft · 31 sec · State Road 2327

  5. 5

    Continue on Roaring River Road

    1894 ft · 29 sec · Roaring River Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Red White & Blue Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Red White & Blue Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1914 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    10.2 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 77 South: Statesville, Charlotte

    2541 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    38.8 mi · 44 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South

    2.5 mi · 3 min · I-77 South

  13. 13

    Continue on I 77 South

    2.1 mi · 2 min · I 77 South

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 77 South

    2.3 mi · 3 min · I 77 South

  15. 15

    Continue on I-77 South

    1990 ft · 26 sec · I-77 South

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South

    4 mi · 5 min · I-77 South

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South

    2.9 mi · 3 min · I-77 South

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South

    2.9 mi · 4 min · I-77 South

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 277, NC 16: Brookshire Freeway

    797 ft · 20 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 277 South, NC 16 South: Brookshire Freeway East

    2216 ft · 54 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight right onto Brookshire Freeway

    1.1 km · 1 min · Brookshire Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Eleventh Street, Church Street, Tryon Street

    709 ft · 19 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on West 11th Street

    140 m · 14 sec · West 11th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Tryon Street

    3010 ft · 1 min · North Tryon Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Tryon Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays 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
25 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 77 South
49.4 mi · 53%
Red White & Blue Road
14 mi · 15%
I-77 South
12.8 mi · 14%
Rock Creek Road
5.07 mi · 5%
Elkin Highway
2.98 mi · 3%
Brookshire Freeway
0.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 77 South

Merge slight left

38.8 mi · 00h 44m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.5 mi
72.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Statesville
00h 47m from Hays
Leave By
3:18 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Hays and Clear near Charlotte.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hays to Charlotte?

The road trip is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.6 miles from Hays and 49.2 miles from Charlotte.

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

The direct path is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.5 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 3:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.95 one way or $25.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hays and Clear near Charlotte.

Stop Ideas Near Statesville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Statesville, 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 Statesville.

RAIL

Kannapolis

39 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Salisbury

41 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

58 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
RAIL

Charlotte

60 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Charlotte. Straight-line distance: 72.3 mi (116.35 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Hays

Township in Wilkes County, North Carolina

Population1,851
Coordinates36.2498500, -81.1156400
Altitude414
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: Traphill Road (-81.11556, 36.249891)
End: South Tryon Street (-80.843177, 35.227134)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 149 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.27 gal
12.39 L · about $12.95
Round trip
$25.90
6.54 gal · 24.78 L
Estimated CO2
29.1 kg one way
Round trip: 58.1 kg / 128 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $12.95 $25.90
Mid-grade $4.43 $14.48 $28.97
Premium $4.78 $15.62 $31.25
Diesel $5.62 $18.39 $36.78

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 · Jun 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Hays and Charlotte. The current time is 01:09:20.

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.