Origin
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon in Charlotte on Thursday
Local time
4:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
259.2 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Fairfield Harbour, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC covers 259.2 miles and takes about 5h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Sugar Creek Road, I 85 North, Julius Chambers Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.6 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 259.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 44m drive with frequent turns across 259.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Sugar Creek Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Sugar Creek Road | — | — |
| I 85 North | — | — |
| Julius Chambers Highway | — | — |
| University City Boulevard | — | — |
| Ikea Boulevard | — | — |
| Highway 49 | — | — |
| West Dixie Drive | — | — |
| Richard K | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West Sugar Creek Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Fairfield Harbour, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
South Tryon Street
2
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sugar Creek Road
3
Take the ramp right toward I 85 North: Concord
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 85 North: Concord
4
Merge slight left onto Julius Chambers Highway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Julius Chambers Highway
5
Take the exit slight right toward University City Boulevard, Ikea Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
University City Boulevard, Ikea Boulevard
6
Keep slight right to continue on Ikea Boulevard
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Ikea Boulevard
7
Turn right onto University City Boulevard
5.7 mi
·
9 min
·
University City Boulevard
8
Continue on NC Highway 49
56 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
NC Highway 49
9
Continue straight
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
10
Continue on West Dixie Drive
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
West Dixie Drive
11
Continue on Richard K. Pugh Highway
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Richard K. Pugh Highway
12
Continue on Jordan Road
24 mi
·
35 min
·
Jordan Road
13
Keep slight left
21 mi
·
27 min
14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
NC 540 Toll South
15
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
16
Keep slight left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 42 East: Smithfield
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 42 East: Smithfield
18
Merge slight left onto Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
19
Continue straight
7.6 mi
·
9 min
20
Keep slight left
14 mi
·
19 min
21
Continue straight
2.0 mi
·
2 min
22
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Goldsboro Bypass
23
Continue straight
11 mi
·
13 min
24
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West New Bern Road
25
Continue on East New Bern Road
33 mi
·
36 min
·
East New Bern Road
26
Keep slight right
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
27
Continue straight
2.2 mi
·
2 min
28
Take the exit slight right
0.8 mi
·
1 min
29
Keep slight right
0.7 mi
·
1 min
30
Turn right onto Broad Creek Road
5.7 mi
·
13 min
·
Broad Creek Road
31
Turn right onto Cassowary Lane
472 ft
·
25 sec
·
Cassowary Lane
32
Turn right onto Caracara Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Caracara Drive
33
Turn left onto Pelican Drive
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Pelican Drive
34
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 129.6 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
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 57 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.6 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield Harbour, 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 259.2 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.6 mi from Charlotte, NC · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 129.6 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairfield Harbour, NC
The final approach into Fairfield Harbour, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fairfield Harbour, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.53 one way
$81.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $44.32 | $88.64 |
| premium | $4.70 | $47.97 | $95.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.23 | $114.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.22 | $12.44 |
| Efficient EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.68 | $10.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.7 | 1 | $36.29 | $16.59 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Fairfield Harbour, NC
Afternoon in Fairfield Harbour on Thursday
Local time
4:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
5h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Fairfield Harbour, NC covers 259.2 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Sugar Creek Road, I 85 North, Julius Chambers Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.6 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 $40.53 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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