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Trip from Forest City, NC to Charlotte, NC

Drive Time

1h 24m

Distance

64.2 mi

103 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 18m ★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Forest City, NC, NC

Forest City, NC

Nino Souza

Downtown Charlotte, NC, NC

Charlotte, NC

John Hill

Trip Overview

Traveling from Forest City to Charlotte covers 64.2 miles across the Southeast region of North Carolina. You should expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stays. With a fuel cost estimate of $10, this route is an affordable way to transition from a smaller town to the major urban hub of Charlotte. Because the drive is straightforward and relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. It is a practical connection that gets you to your destination efficiently without the need for multiple stops.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

32.1 miles from Forest City, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a turn-heavy local drive that trades interstate monotony for a more engaged experience behind the wheel. You will navigate via Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, West Dixon Boulevard, and Solon David Smart Memorial Highway rather than major high-speed interstates. The route consists entirely of local roads with a 0% highway share, requiring your full attention as you transition between thoroughfares. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 17.6-mile segment on Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. Expect a steady, hands-on driving experience that changes character as you move from the quieter outskirts of Forest City toward the busier surroundings of Charlotte.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,014 ft 732 ft

Total Climb

271 ft

Total Descent

553 ft

Highest Point

1,014 ft

Elevation Range

283 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 64.2 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
34.7 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
59.9 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34 Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road
6
60.1 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NC 27: Freedom Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
8
60.3 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NC 27 East: Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes. Toward NC 27 East: Downtown
6
63.6 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | South Tryon Street

Turn left onto South Tryon Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Forest City, NC to Charlotte, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Spartanburg along the way.

Spartanburg

34.6 mi in | ~46m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway 17.6 mi 21m
West Dixon Boulevard 12.4 mi 17m
Solon David Smart Memorial Highway 11.7 mi 13m
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway 6.8 mi 7m
Cameron Morrison Bridge 6.8 mi 8m
Freedom Drive 2 mi 3m
Andrew Jackson Highway 1.8 mi 2m
South Broadway Street 1.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway — 17.6 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest City, NC and Charlotte, NC.

1

Start on Cherry Mountain Street

54 ft · 3 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
2

Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A

0.2 mi · 53 sec · East Main Street
3

Turn right onto US 221A

1.4 mi · 3 min · South Broadway Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
5

Merge onto US 74

12 mi · 13 min · Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
6

Take the exit onto US 74

12 mi · 17 min · West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 74

1.8 mi · 2 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
8

Continue on US 74

6.8 mi · 7 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 85

18 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on I 85

6.8 mi · 8 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 34 Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive, Tuckaseegee Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
15

Continue on this road

489 ft · 11 sec · this road
Exit 34 Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
16

Keep slight right at fork

451 ft · 11 sec
Toward NC 27 East: Downtown Use the left / right lanes.
17

Turn straight onto NC 27

2.0 mi · 3 min · Freedom Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Turn left onto US 29

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Morehead Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Turn left onto South Tryon Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Tryon Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Arrive at destination

South Tryon Street

Trip Plan

Since this 64.2-mile trek is quite manageable, you can easily complete it in a single stretch without feeling the need for formal stops. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure your trip stays within the estimated 1 hour and 24-minute window. Keep $10 set aside for fuel, as this will cover the average cost for the journey. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, stay alert for frequent intersections and changing speed limits as you navigate the transition from rural stretches to the Charlotte metro area. Enjoy the flexibility of a short drive by planning your arrival time around your specific needs in the city rather than worrying about a rigid itinerary.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.1 miles from Forest City, NC, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.6 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 64.2 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.1 miles or 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Forest City, 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 Forest City, NC

This is one driving day of about 64.2 miles and 1h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Forest City, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway for about 17.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.1 mi from Forest City, NC · 43m into the drive

Downtown Cherryville, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cherryville, NC

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.

Popular next leg

Cherryville, NC to Charlotte, NC

38.1 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Belmont, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cherryville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.1 miles from Forest City, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Charlotte, NC

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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Charlotte, 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

$10.27 one way

$20.55 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $11.19 $22.39
premium $4.78 $12.08 $24.15
diesel $5.64 $14.26 $28.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 17 hours ago

Origin

Forest City, NC

Night in Forest City on Sunday

Local time

9:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Mostly Clear

N 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 11 at 7:52PM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Charlotte, NC

Night in Charlotte on Sunday

Local time

9:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Mostly Clear

NE 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 11 at 7:52PM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

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

2 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

1h 24m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Forest City, NC to Charlotte, NC covers 64.2 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, West Dixon Boulevard, Solon David Smart Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.1 miles from Forest City, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 64.2 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
On the drive from Forest City, NC to Charlotte, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Spartanburg along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 732 ft to 1,014 ft elevation with about 271 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Charlotte, NC to Forest City, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

64.1 mi 1h 24m

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