Origin
Charlotte, NC
Morning in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
9:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Sunset Beach, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
188.1 mi
303 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Sunset Beach, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Sunset Beach, NC covers 188.1 miles and takes about 4h 7m 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 $29.41 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
94.1 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Charlotte, NC
Full guide →Charlotte is an ambitious and rapidly growing city in the southern part of the Piedmont of North Carolina. It is also developing its fledgling tourist industry; its central core is one of the most visitor-friendly districts in the Carolinas. Charlotte's most popular attractions include the Carolina Panthers (NFL), the Charlotte Hornets (NBA), the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Charlotte Ballet, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Billy Graham Library, Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte Museum of History, Carowinds amusement park, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 188.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m 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 7m drive with frequent turns across 188.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 45 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
Navigation is easy, but the length (4h 7m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots, so this is more about pacing than navigation skill.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Sunset Beach, 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 | — | — |
| West Roosevelt Boulevard | — | — |
| Pageland Highway | — | — |
| Van Lingle Mungo 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 Sunset Beach, 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 right to continue on Independence Boulevard
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Independence Boulevard
11
Continue on West Roosevelt Boulevard
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
West Roosevelt Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Pageland Highway
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Pageland Highway
13
Continue on Van Lingle Mungo Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Lingle Mungo Boulevard
14
Turn left onto East Mc Gregor Street
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
East Mc Gregor Street
15
Continue on McGregor Street
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
McGregor Street
16
Continue on Main Street
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
East Main Street
18
Merge slight right onto East Boulevard
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Boulevard
19
Continue on Chesterfield Highway
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Chesterfield Highway
20
Continue on Market Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Market Street
21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Front Street
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Front Street
22
Turn right
13 mi
·
14 min
23
Turn right onto Cottingham Boulevard North
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Cottingham Boulevard North
24
At the end of the road, turn left onto Harris Street
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harris Street
25
Turn right
24 mi
·
28 min
26
Turn right onto US Highway 301 North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 301 North
27
Turn left onto East Main Street
12 mi
·
18 min
·
East Main Street
28
Continue on West 3rd Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Avenue
29
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
30
Continue on Nichols Highway
7.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Nichols Highway
31
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Nichols Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Nichols Street
32
Continue on Highway 76
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 76
33
Keep slight right
24 mi
·
30 min
34
Turn straight
13 mi
·
17 min
35
Turn straight onto Sea Mountain Highway
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Sea Mountain Highway
36
Turn left onto Highway 90
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 90
37
Turn right onto US Highway 17
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 17
38
Turn slight right
0.8 mi
·
1 min
39
Continue on Beach Drive Southwest
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Beach Drive Southwest
40
Continue on Beach Drive Southwest
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Beach Drive Southwest
41
Continue on Shoreline Drive West
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Shoreline Drive West
42
Turn left onto Sunset Boulevard North
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard North
43
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Sunset Boulevard South
230 ft
·
5 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard South
44
Exit the roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard South
45
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 94.1 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 3m 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 41 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.1 miles or 2h 3m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunset Beach, 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 188.1 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 94.1 mi from Charlotte, NC · 2h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.1 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sunset Beach, NC
The final approach into Sunset Beach, 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 Sunset Beach, 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
$29.41 one way
$58.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $32.16 | $64.32 |
| premium | $4.70 | $34.81 | $69.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.53 | $83.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.75 | $9.03 |
| Efficient EV | 47 | 0 | $16.46 | $7.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.33 | $12.04 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Sunset Beach, NC
Morning in Sunset Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
3 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 7m 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 Sunset Beach, NC covers 188.1 miles and takes about 4h 7m 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 94.1 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 $29.41 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.
Navigation is easy, but the length (4h 7m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots, so this is more about pacing than navigation skill.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Sunset Beach, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Sunset Beach, 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.
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