Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
64.7 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
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
Connelly Springs, NC
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Connelly Springs, NC covers 64.7 miles and takes about 1h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Gastonia Dallas Highway, I 85, I 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.5 miles on Gastonia Dallas Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.12 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 64.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Connelly Springs, NC covers 64.7 miles and takes about 1h 24m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
610 ft
Total Descent
197 ft
Highest Point
1,176 ft
~64.7 mi in
Elevation Range
538 ft
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 0.6 miles in near NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto NC 27; NC 49 / West Morehead Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 321 North: Lincolnton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 40: Statesville, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlotte, NC and Connelly Springs, NC, road signs point toward Asheville and Icard.
Asheville
Icard
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gastonia Dallas Highway | 31.5 mi | 37m |
| I 85 | 17.3 mi | 21m |
| I 40 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| US 70 | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Freedom Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Morehead Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Tryon Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Chester Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Connelly Springs, NC.
Start on South Tryon Street
Turn right onto NC 27; NC 49
Turn right onto NC 27
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 85
Take the exit
Merge onto US 321
Continue on US 321
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
At end of road, turn right onto Old N.C. Highway 10
Turn left onto US 70
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.4 mi from Charlotte, NC · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Connelly Springs, 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.
Regular Gas
$10.12 one way
$20.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.06 | $22.13 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.97 | $23.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.28 | $28.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.79 | $3.11 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.66 | $2.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.06 | $4.14 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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
9:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Connelly Springs on Friday
Local time
9:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
48°F
Dallas, NC
32 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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