Origin
Charlotte, NC
Late night in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Saint James, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
208.4 mi
335 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Saint James, NC
Jo Kassis
Trip Overview
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Saint James, NC covers 208.4 miles and takes about 4h 26m 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 $32.59 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
104.2 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 208.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 26m drive with frequent turns across 208.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 26m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Saint James, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 5th Street | — | — |
| US 74 East | — | — |
| East Independence Boulevard | — | — |
| East Independence Expressway | — | — |
| Independence Boulevard | — | — |
| Monroe Expressway | — | — |
| Carroll M | — | — |
| West Marshville Boulevard | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East 5th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Saint James, 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 left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
20
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
21
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
22
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
23
Continue on American Indian Highway
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
24
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
34 mi
·
38 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
25
Take the exit slight right
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
26
Turn right
25 mi
·
34 min
27
Continue on Southport-Supply Road Southeast
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
28
Turn right onto Middleton Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Middleton Street
29
Turn slight left onto St James Drive Southeast
98 ft
·
5 sec
·
St James Drive Southeast
30
Continue on St James Drive Southeast
1.9 mi
·
7 min
·
St James Drive Southeast
31
Continue on Trailwood Drive Southeast
364 ft
·
16 sec
·
Trailwood Drive Southeast
32
Continue on St James Drive Southeast
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
St James Drive Southeast
33
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward St James Drive Southeast
246 ft
·
12 sec
·
St James Drive Southeast
34
Exit the roundabout onto St James Drive Southeast
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
St James Drive Southeast
35
Turn left
118 ft
·
9 sec
36
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 104.2 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 13m 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.2 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint James, 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 208.4 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 104.2 mi from Charlotte, NC · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.2 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint James, NC
The final approach into Saint James, 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 Saint James, 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
$32.59 one way
$65.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.63 | $71.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.57 | $77.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.01 | $92.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.88 | $10.00 |
| Efficient EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.24 | $8.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.4 | 1 | $29.18 | $13.34 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Saint James, NC
Late night in Saint James on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Rockingham, NC
104 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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m 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 Saint James, NC covers 208.4 miles and takes about 4h 26m 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 104.2 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 $32.59 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 straightforward 4h 26m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Saint James, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Saint James, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Saint James, NC
More trips to Saint James, NC
Explore more options from Charlotte, NC or browse trips ending in Saint James, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.