Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
64.2 mi
103 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.
Connelly Springs, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Connelly Springs, NC to Charlotte, NC covers 64.2 miles and takes about 1h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 321, Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, Cameron Morrison Bridge for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32 miles on US 321. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 64.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 22m highway drive covering 64.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 321 and Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 32 miles on US 321.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
178 ft
Total Descent
592 ft
Highest Point
1,176 ft
Elevation Range
542 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 321 and Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 27 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South Tryon Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Connelly Springs, NC and Charlotte, NC, road signs point toward Lincolnton and Hickory.
Lincolnton
Hickory
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 321 | 32 mi | 37m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| I 40 | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| US 70 | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Freedom Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| West Morehead Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Tryon Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Connelly Springs, NC and Charlotte, NC.
Start on US 70
Turn right onto Old N.C. Highway 10
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 321
Take the exit
Merge onto I 85
Continue on I 85
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto NC 27
Turn left onto US 29
Turn left onto South Tryon Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.1 mi from Connelly Springs, NC · 41m 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 32.1 miles from Connelly Springs, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Charlotte, 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
$10.04 one way
$20.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $10.98 | $21.95 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.17 | $28.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.74 | $3.08 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.62 | $2.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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
Late night in Connelly Springs on Saturday
Local time
2:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Charlotte on Saturday
Local time
2:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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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