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Trip from Charlotte, NC to Hazelwood, NC

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

146.7 mi

236 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 50m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Charlotte, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hazelwood, NC, NC

Hazelwood, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Charlotte, NC to Hazelwood, NC covers 146.7 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, US 74, I 85 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.1 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.94 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

73.4 miles from Charlotte, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

The drive from Charlotte, NC to Hazelwood, NC covers 146.7 miles and takes about 3h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 36.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 146.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (NC 27 / Freedom Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street

Turn right onto NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | NC 27 / Freedom Drive

Turn right onto NC 27 / Freedom Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
4.2 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 85

Merge onto I 85

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
28.3 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 10B Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
5
118.6 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | US 74; US 64 Truck

Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck toward I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Charlotte, NC and Hazelwood, NC, road signs point toward Shelby, Asheville, Knoxville, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Franklin - among others.

Shelby

28.3 mi in | ~36m

Asheville

84.3 mi in | ~1h 43m | via I 26; US 74

Knoxville

118.6 mi in | ~2h 25m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Waynesville

137 mi in | ~2h 48m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Maggie Valley

137 mi in | ~2h 48m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Franklin

137 mi in | ~2h 48m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Murphy

137 mi in | ~2h 48m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Atlanta

137 mi in | ~2h 48m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway 36.1 mi 43m
US 74 27.3 mi 34m
I 85 24.1 mi 29m
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway 18.3 mi 19m
West Dixon Boulevard 15.7 mi 17m
East Dixon Boulevard 12 mi 17m
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Freedom Drive 2.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 36.1 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Hazelwood, NC.

1

Start on South Tryon Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Tryon Street
2

Turn right onto NC 27; NC 49

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Morehead Street
Use the right lane.
3

Turn right onto NC 27

2.1 mi · 3 min · Freedom Drive
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 85

24 mi · 29 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 50 sec
Exit 10B Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on US 74

7.6 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 74

1.8 mi · 2 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
9

Continue on US 74

12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the ramp onto US 74

16 mi · 17 min · West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 74

18 mi · 19 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
12

Merge onto I 26; US 74

34 mi · 41 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward Asheville
13

Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck

18 mi · 23 min · US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville
14

Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck

8.9 mi · 11 min · US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward West Waynesville
16

Enter roundabout onto US 23 Business

241 ft · 4 sec · Hyatt Creek Road
17

Continue on US 23 Business

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Hyatt Creek Road
18

At end of road, turn left onto US 23 Business

0.4 mi · 46 sec · South Main Street
19

Turn sharp right onto Allens Creek Road

43 ft · 1 sec · Allens Creek Road
20

Arrive at destination

Allens Creek Road

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 73.4 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.1 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hazelwood, 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 146.7 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 36.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.4 mi from Charlotte, NC · 1h 31m into the drive

city in North Carolina, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boiling Springs, NC

73 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

Inman Mills, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Inman Mills, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.4 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Hazelwood, NC

The final approach into Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, 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

$22.94 one way

$45.88 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $25.08 $50.17
premium $4.70 $27.15 $54.30
diesel $5.61 $32.39 $64.78

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: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44 0 $15.40 $7.04
Efficient EV 36.7 0 $12.84 $5.87
EV Truck/SUV 58.7 0 $20.54 $9.39

Gas CO2

51 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Charlotte, NC

Night in Charlotte on Tuesday

Local time

9:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hazelwood, NC

Night in Hazelwood on Tuesday

Local time

9:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Boiling Springs, NC

73 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

8 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 1m 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 Hazelwood, NC covers 146.7 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, US 74, I 85. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.4 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 $22.94 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 146.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (NC 27 / Freedom Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Charlotte, NC and Hazelwood, NC, road signs point toward Shelby, Asheville, Knoxville, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Franklin - among others.

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