Waterbean Coffee
Early in the drive, right off the route
Huntersville, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17044798888
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
75.6 mi
122 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Moravian Falls, NC
Connor Scott McManus
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Moravian Falls, NC covers 75.6 miles and takes about 1h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I-77 North, Taylorsville Road, NC 16 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.6 miles on I-77 North. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.82 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.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 75.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 41m highway drive covering 75.6 miles, with most of the trip on I-77 North and Taylorsville Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.6 miles on I-77 North.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I-77 North and Taylorsville Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Mint Street.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.6 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.3 miles (South Mint Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 77; US 21 / I-77 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles (I 77 / I 77 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Mint Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21 / I-77 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 / I 77 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21 / I-77 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 70: G. Bagnal Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I-77 North | 31.6 mi | 37m |
| Taylorsville Road | 14.4 mi | 19m |
| NC 16 | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| I 77 North | 6 mi | 7m |
| Garner Bagnal Boulevard | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| NC 90 | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| West Trade Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Adams Pond Lane | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Moravian Falls, NC.
Start on South Tryon Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Turn right onto South Mint Street
Turn left onto West Trade Street
Turn right
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 77; US 21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Continue on I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Continue on I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 70
Continue on US 64; NC 90
Turn right onto Adams Pond Lane
Turn left onto NC 90
Turn right onto NC 16
Turn left onto West Brocktown Road
Continue on Moravian Falls Road
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moravian Falls, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Charlotte, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 75.6 miles and 1h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.8 mi from Charlotte, NC · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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.
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Moravian Falls, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Huntersville, North Carolina
Early in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17044798888
French Quarter Restaurant
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop
Charlotte, North Carolina
Top Coffee Stop
Charlotte, North Carolina
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+19804985414
Defined Coffee
Mooresville, North Carolina
Early in the drive, right off the route
Huntersville, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17044798888
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17045953344
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mooresville, North Carolina
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+17047993355
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+19804985414
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mooresville, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17049102249
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17046544400
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: Closed
+19803144729
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 12–8 pm
+17047099050
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Cornelius, North Carolina
Hours: 7:30 am–8:30 pm
+17048926031
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Statesville, North Carolina
+17048783429
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$11.82 one way
$23.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.93 | $25.85 |
| premium | $4.70 | $13.99 | $27.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.69 | $33.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.61 | $3.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.58 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Charlotte on Friday
Local time
11:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Moravian Falls on Friday
Local time
11:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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