This 149.2-mile drive from Broadway, NC, to Charlotte, NC, will take you about 3 hours and 8 minutes. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, so no need to plan an overnight stay. You'll be navigating on roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with a portion on the Monroe Expressway. Expect to spend around $23 on fuel for this journey through the Southeast region of North Carolina. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent directional changes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.6 miles from Broadway, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 149.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route is characterized by its numerous turns, offering a more engaging driving experience than a straight interstate cruise. With only 26% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.1 miles along Andrew Jackson Highway. As you progress, the road's personality shifts between the efficiency of the Monroe Expressway and the more winding nature of the state highways, requiring your attention throughout the 3-hour journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Braswell Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 149.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Braswell Road): Navigation decision point; at 69.1 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.5 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~4m in|Braswell Road
At end of road, turn left onto Braswell Road
Navigation decision point
6
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
83.5 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
148.2 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
41.1 mi
48m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi
9m
East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 41.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broadway, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on Old Stake Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Old Stake Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Braswell Road
327 ft·16 sec·Braswell Road
3
Turn right onto Grist Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Grist Road
4
Turn right onto US 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway Southwest
5
Turn left onto US 74 Business; NC 130; NC 410
1.9 mi·2 min·Joe Brown Highway North
6
Take the ramp onto US 74 Business; NC 130
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 74 Business; NC 130
7
Merge onto US 74; NC 130
9.3 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
8
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
9
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306BToward US 74 West: MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
14
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
17
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.4 mi·27 sec·East Independence Boulevard
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Sixth Street, McDowell StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on East 6th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
25
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Tryon Street
26
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and the turn-heavy nature of this route, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential local traffic, especially as you approach Charlotte. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's wise to fill up before you leave Broadway. While there's only one suggested stop, the constant turns mean you'll want to stay alert and take breaks as needed. Keep an eye out for the transition onto the Monroe Expressway; it offers a brief period of faster travel before you return to local roads for the final leg into the city.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.6 miles from Broadway, NC, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Broadway, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Broadway, NC
This is one driving day of about 149.2 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Broadway, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 41.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.6 mi from Broadway, NC
· 1h 30m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.33 one way
$46.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.51
$51.02
premium
$4.70
$27.61
$55.23
diesel
$5.61
$32.94
$65.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.8
0
$15.67
$7.16
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.97
EV Truck/SUV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Broadway, NC
Late night
in Broadway on Saturday
Local time
2:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charlotte, NC
Late night
in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
2:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Rockingham, NC
75 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Broadway, NC to Charlotte, NC covers 149.2 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, Monroe Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.6 miles from Broadway, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 149.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Braswell Road): Navigation decision point; at 69.1 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.5 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Broadway, NC to Charlotte, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
