This 149-mile drive from Charlotte, NC, to Broadway, NC, is easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll primarily be on roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with some time on the Monroe Expressway. This route stays within the Southeast region and North Carolina, offering a straightforward journey. Given its relatively short duration and manageable distance, this trip is well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
74.5 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 149 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
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 149-mile excursion. With only 28% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a more intimate connection with the landscape as you navigate local roads. The longest stretch without a significant turn or change in direction is 40.6 miles along Andrew Jackson Highway. This profile suggests a driving experience that is less about high-speed travel and more about engaging with the various roadways that connect communities within North Carolina.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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 40.6 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 4.6 miles in near US 74 / East Independence Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 149 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 4.6 miles (US 74 / East Independence Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~7m in|US 74 / East Independence Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / East Independence Boulevard toward US 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East
9
13.7 mi into trip|~19m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
5
32.5 mi into trip|~41m in|US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Merge onto US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 East: Lumberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
6
89.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Charlotte, NC to Broadway, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
13.7 mi in|~19m|via US 74 BYP
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
40.6 mi
47m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
6m
US 74
3.5 mi
4m
West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 40.6 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Broadway, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
488 ft·14 sec·South Tryon Street
2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·East 5th Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East 5th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
5
Continue on US 74; NC 27
3.5 mi·4 min·US 74; NC 27
Toward US 74 East: Independence ExpresswayUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
7
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
13
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
14
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
17
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
18
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
20
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
24
Continue on US 74; NC 130
9.4 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
25
Take the exit onto US 74 Business; NC 130
0.4 mi·47 sec·US 74 Business; NC 130
26
Turn right onto US 74 Business; NC 130; NC 410
1.6 mi·2 min·Joe Brown Highway North
27
Turn right onto US 76
1.9 mi·2 min·US 76
28
Turn left onto Grist Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Grist Road
29
Turn left onto Braswell Road
327 ft·16 sec·Braswell Road
30
Turn right onto Old Stake Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Old Stake Road
31
Arrive at destination
Old Stake Road
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 8-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid any potential local traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 149 miles, you have the flexibility to take your time. Pay attention to the road signs as you transition between Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and the Monroe Expressway, as this route is characterized by frequent turns. The $23 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to start with a full tank in Charlotte to ensure you have plenty of range.
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 74.5 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.6 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 38m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Broadway, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 149 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Charlotte, 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 40.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.5 mi from Charlotte, NC
· 1h 38m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.30 one way
$46.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.48
$50.95
premium
$4.70
$27.58
$55.15
diesel
$5.61
$32.90
$65.79
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: 52.1 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
44.7
0
$15.64
$7.15
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.04
$5.96
EV Truck/SUV
59.6
0
$20.86
$9.54
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
Charlotte, NC
Morning
in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
7:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Broadway, NC
Morning
in Broadway on Saturday
Local time
7:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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 cooler 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 Charlotte, NC to Broadway, NC covers 149 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 74.5 miles from Charlotte, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.30 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 15 significant decision points across 149 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 4.6 miles (US 74 / East Independence Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charlotte, NC to Broadway, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
