How far is Knightdale, NC from Charlotte, NC?
The driving distance from Knightdale, NC to Charlotte, NC is about 179.8 miles (289.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 41m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knightdale and Charlotte.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knightdale and Charlotte.
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1
Start on Railroad Street
135 m · 21 sec · Railroad Street
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2
Turn right onto South Smithfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South Smithfield Road
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3
Turn left onto Knightdale Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Knightdale Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 540 West
1865 ft · 45 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
19 mi · 20 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham
2972 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue
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8
Continue on New Raleigh Highway
2.5 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway
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9
Continue on South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi · 12 min · South Miami Boulevard
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10
Keep slight left
42.3 mi · 49 min
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11
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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13
Keep slight left
77 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Sugar Creek Road
750 ft · 26 sec
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15
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Sugar Creek Road
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16
Turn right onto North Tryon Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Tryon Street
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17
Continue on North Church Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Church Street
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18
Continue on North Tryon Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tryon Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Tryon Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knightdale 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 Business 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.
Sunny leaving Knightdale and Sunny near Charlotte.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knightdale to Charlotte?
The road trip is about 179.8 miles (289.4 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Knightdale and 93.1 miles from Charlotte.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 1:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.15 one way or $50.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knightdale and Sunny near Charlotte.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
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 Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knightdale and Charlotte. Straight-line distance: 138.4 mi (222.74 km).
#1 Knightdale
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 18,122 |
| Coordinates | 35.7876500, -78.4805600 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| 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: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.15 | $50.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.12 | $56.25 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.34 | $60.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.71 | $71.42 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.