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Trip from Charlotte, NC to Southport, NC

Drive Time

4h 23m

Distance

210.3 mi

339 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Charlotte, NC, NC

Charlotte, NC

John Hill

Downtown Southport, NC, NC

Southport, NC

Michael Ken

Trip Overview

The drive from Charlotte, NC to Southport, NC covers 210.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m 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, American Indian Highway, NC 211 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.3 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.66 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

105.2 miles from Charlotte, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Charlotte, NC to Southport, NC covers 210.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m, 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 29 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 65.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

697 ft 17 ft

Total Climb

0 ft

Total Descent

681 ft

Highest Point

697 ft

~15 mi in

Elevation Range

681 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 210.3 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 11 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 Along This Route

On the drive from Charlotte, NC to Southport, 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 65.3 mi 1h 15m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
NC 211 25.4 mi 34m
Monroe Expressway 18.7 mi 21m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast 15 mi 21m
G R Kindley Freeway 14.9 mi 16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Independence Boulevard 4.5 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 65.3 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Southport, 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 Expressway Use 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 255 Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington Use 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

34 mi · 38 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
25

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
26

Turn right onto NC 211

25 mi · 34 min · NC 211
27

Continue on NC 211

15 mi · 21 min · Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on NC 211

1.9 mi · 3 min · North Howe Street
Use the straight lane.
29

Arrive at destination

NC 211

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 105.2 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 105.2 miles or 2h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 210.3 miles and 4h 23m.

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 65.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 105.2 mi from Charlotte, NC · 2h 13m into the drive

Downtown Concord, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Concord, NC

105 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.

Popular next leg

Concord, NC to Southport, NC

208.7 mi · 4h 25m

Pacing Suggestions

Fayetteville, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Fayetteville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.2 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 miles.

Arriving in Southport, NC

The final approach into Southport, 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 Southport, NC.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Moores Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 166.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.66 one way

$67.31 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $36.67 $73.34
premium $4.78 $39.56 $79.12
diesel $5.64 $46.72 $93.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.1 0 $22.08 $10.09
Efficient EV 52.6 0 $18.40 $8.41
EV Truck/SUV 84.1 1 $29.44 $13.46

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast data refreshed 24 minutes ago

Origin

Charlotte, NC

Afternoon in Charlotte on Sunday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Sunny

ESE 7 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Southport, NC

Afternoon in Southport on Sunday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Sunny

SE 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Along the Route

64°F

Concord, NC

105 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

10 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

4h 23m 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 Southport, NC covers 210.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m 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, NC 211. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.2 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 $33.66 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 210.3 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 Southport, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Southport, NC to Charlotte, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

210.5 mi 4h 23m

Continue From Southport, NC

Maine, NC 245.7 mi · 5h 5m High Point, NC 222.7 mi · 4h 26m Concord, NC 208.9 mi · 4h 25m Greensboro, NC 199.1 mi · 4h 28m

More from Charlotte, NC

Ahoskie, NC 270.7 mi · 5h 30m Greenville, NC 247 mi · 4h 44m Rocky Mount, NC 224.7 mi · 3h 30m Wrightsboro, NC 202.3 mi · 4h 8m Wilmington, NC 197.5 mi · 4h 3m Belville, NC 196.2 mi · 4h 1m

More trips to Southport, NC

Maine, NC 241.8 mi High Point, NC 219.3 mi Concord, NC 208.7 mi Greensboro, NC 198.6 mi Durham, NC 185.1 mi Cary, NC 168.2 mi

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