Origin
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon in Charlotte on Monday
Local time
12:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
142.7 mi
230 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
John Hill
Lillington, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC covers 142.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 5th Street, US 74 East, East Independence Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.84 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
71.4 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 9m drive with frequent turns across 142.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 5th Street 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. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC is easy. At 3h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 5th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 74 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Independence Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Independence Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Independence Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Monroe Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Carroll M | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Marshville Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East 5th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Lillington, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
489 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 to continue on East 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
East 5th Street
4
Take the ramp straight toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
NC 27 East, US 74 East
5
Continue on US 74 East: Independence Expressway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 74 East: Independence Expressway
6
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
358 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
7
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
8
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
9
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
10
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
11
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
12
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
13
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
14
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
15
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Continue on Salisbury Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
17
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
18
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
19
Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
20
Turn left onto West Green Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Green Street
21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43 mi
·
52 min
·
Fayetteville Road
22
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
23
Turn right
8.4 mi
·
11 min
24
Turn left
20 mi
·
27 min
25
Turn left onto South 9th Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
South 9th Street
26
Turn right onto West Ivy Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Ivy Street
27
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Main Street
28
Turn right
13 ft
·
1 sec
29
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 71.4 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 1h 34m 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 34m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lillington, 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 142.7 miles and 3h 9m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.4 mi from Charlotte, NC · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lillington, NC
The final approach into Lillington, 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 Lillington, 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
$22.84 one way
$45.68 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $24.88 | $49.77 |
| premium | $4.78 | $26.84 | $53.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.70 | $63.41 |
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: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.98 | $6.85 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.98 | $9.13 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Lillington, NC
Afternoon in Lillington on Monday
Local time
12:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 9m 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 Lillington, NC covers 142.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 5th Street, US 74 East, East Independence Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.4 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 $22.84 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.
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC is easy. At 3h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Lillington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lillington, NC
More trips to Lillington, NC
Explore more options from Charlotte, NC or browse trips ending in Lillington, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Charlotte, NC or Lillington, NC on MapSof.net.