Charlotte to Charleston road trip: Drive time, distance & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Charlotte to Charleston drive are Lake Wateree State Park, Columbia SC and the UFO Welcome Center. The distance from Charlotte to Charleston by car is 209 miles, with a 3h20m driving time.
Planning a Charlotte to Charleston road trip itinerary
The Charlotte to Charleston drive takes you from the biggest city in North Carolina to a history-drenched city on the South Carolina coast.
Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina. Major attractions include the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the thrill-packed Carowinds amusement park and the Billy Graham Library. Another popular option is the Sea Life aquarium.
For top Charlotte activities, try historical city tours by golf cart, Segway tours through the Uptown neighbourhood and after dark ghost tours.
Charleston SC is one of the most attractive historic cities in the South.
Highlights of a visit include plantation tours – take your pick from the Boone Plantation and the Magnolia Plantation. Most visitors will also take the ferry to Fort Sumter, where the American Civil War started.
Other classic Charleston activities include a horse and carriage tour, history cruises on the harbor and night-time ghost walks.
For less conventional options, try a dinner cruise with live music, a Downtown food tour and a speakeasy cocktail-making class.
Charlotte to Charleston distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Charlotte to Charleston is 209 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 20 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-77 and I-26.
The best stops to add to a Charlotte to Charleston road trip itinerary are Lake Wateree State Park, Columbia SC and the UFO Welcome Center.
Charlotte to Charleston drive: Lake Wateree State Park
Lake Wateree State Park is largely based around the lake. Fishing is permitted from anywhere on the bank, with bream, catfish and bass all regularly caught. It’s also possible to rent canoes and kayaks to head out on the water.
There’s a designated swimming area with a gentle slope and sandy bottom, a 2.3 mile looping walking trail and a playground next to the park store.
Best stops between Charlotte and Charleston: Columbia SC
Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. Top attractions include the South Carolina State Museum, which looks at the rich history of the state, but does so in a surprisingly fun way, with a digital planetarium and 4D theater.
But the city’s real appeal is in the numerous parks along the Broad River. These include the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
For well-rated Columbia accommodation options, try the academia-themed Graduate and the characterful Hotel Trundle.
Charlotte to Charleston road trip attractions: UFO Welcome Center
In Bowman SC, the UFO Welcome Center is a classic roadside oddity. It’s an entirely home-made affair, put together with scrap metal and other assorted junk. It consists of two habitable flying saucers created by local resident Jody Pendarvis. The idea is that when aliens pay a visit, they’ll make them fly with special alien technology and take off to a faraway galaxy.
More Charlotte road trips
Anderson SC to Charlotte | Charlotte to Asheville | Charlotte to Atlanta | Augusta GA to Charlotte | Charlotte to Chicago | Columbia SC to Charlotte NC | Charlotte to Greenville | Houston to Charlotte | Jacksonville to Charlotte | Washington DC to Charlotte.
More Charleston road trips
Asheville to Charleston | Atlanta to Charleston SC | Augusta to Charleston | Charleston to Greenville SC | Jacksonville to Charleston.