Charlotte to New Orleans drive: Distance, time & best stops

The best road trip stops on the Charlotte to New Orleans drive are Atlanta, Montgomery and Mobile. The distance from Charlotte to New Orleans by car is 714 miles, with a 10h10m driving time.

Planning a Charlotte to New Orleans road trip itinerary

The Charlotte to New Orleans drive connects the biggest city in North Carolina to the most exciting city in Louisiana.

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.

Well-reviewed and central Charlotte accommodation options include the AC by Marriott and the Hyatt House.

New Orleans resolutely refuses to feel like any other American city. From the raucous hedonism of Bourbon Street to the European-influenced charm of the French Quarter, New Orleans is mesmerizingly unusual to hang out in.

Top New Orleans experiences include French Quarter food tours, haunted pub crawls, jazz cruises aboard the steamboat Natchez and cemetery walking tours.

For other attractions, try the National WWII Museum, the Vue Orleans observation deck and the urban enslavement tours at Hermann Grima House.

If looking for New Orleans accommodation, the pool and jazz bar-equipped Royal Sonesta in the French Quarter is a great option. The Virgin Hotel downtown has a huge sense of fun, too.

Charlotte to New Orleans distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Charlotte to New Orleans is 714 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 10 hours and 10 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-85, I-65 and I-10.

The best road trip stops on the Charlotte to New Orleans drive are Atlanta, Montgomery and Mobile.

For more suggestions, see the guides to the individual legs of the journey.

Best stops between Charlotte and New Orleans: Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta played a massive part in the Civil Rights movement, and a black history and civil rights tour is pretty much a must-do.

For more Atlanta experiences, try a sightseeing trolley tour for orientation and overview. Or a guided bike ride to get a better feel for the neighbourhoods.

Other Atlanta favourites include the World of Coca Cola, Midtown food and cocktail tours and multi-brewery beer tours.

Charlotte to New Orleans drive: Montgomery, Alabama

The main reason to visit Montgomery is the Civil Rights heritage. There are several ways to explore this, with the cheapest being a self-guided audio tour and the most in-depth being a three hour private tour.

Other fun Montgomery experiences include a party pedal boat cruise along the Alabama River,

If planning to blitz several attractions, a city pass might save you money.

Charlotte to New Orleans road trip attractions: Mobile, Alabama

The Alabama Gulf Coast port city of Mobile has a perhaps unexpected party spirit. This is best explored in the bars, or at the Mobile Carnival Museum.

You can also head on board the USS Alabama battleship or visit the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. The latter includes a ship simulator, where you can have a go at steering a ship through the Gulf.

Mobile experience options include a downtown food tour and a wildlife kayaking tour.

Top Mobile accommodation picks include the personality-packed Fort Conde Inn and the riverside Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza.