Just outside Charlotte, there are many opportunities for outdoor adventure, including kayaking and canoeing on nearby Lake Norman. Its central location makes it a great jumping off point for exploring tons of East Coast destinations.
Top Road Trip Destinations From Charlotte
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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.
1.
New York City
🚗 640 miles ⏱️ 10 hours
America's biggest city is a swirling mix of culture and industries that offers an electric experience for visitors of all ages. New York's entertainment scene is unparalleled, as are its shopping and dining opportunities.
There are many new places to discover on this drive, including Fancy Gap, Roanoke, Shenandoah National Park and Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg.
2.
Washington DC
🚗 400 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 10 minutes
Washington DC is full of history and outstanding museums. There's so much more to the nation's capital than the White House, National Mall, and Smithsonian; you can sample food from every part of the world and shop along cobblestone streets.
On the way to the capital, you can also visit Greensboro, make a detour to Raleigh and spend some time in Richmond.
3.
Orlando🚗 630 miles ⏱️ 11 hours
Orlando is pretty much synonymous with theme parks; live out your childhood fantasies with your favorite Disney characters at the Magic Kingdom, see what it's like behind the scenes at Universal Studios.
This road trip is perfect for history lovers, as you will get to visit the historic cities of Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville and beautiful St Augustine.
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4.
Nashville🚗 460 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 40 minutes
Nashville, known as “Music City” is a music mecca and has tons of music history and memorabilia to explore. Get your honky-tonk on with a live show and learn about the greats of Country Music at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
This scenic drive is jam-packed with places to visit such as Asheville, Bryson City, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and Knoxville en route.
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5.
Charleston
🚗 215 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 30 minutes
Charleston's stunning beaches and Southern charm are an unbeatable combination. Where else can you take a horse-drawn carriage ride past historic Victorian homes in the morning and then stroll over to the beach?
On your way to Charleston, don't miss out on visiting Columbia, Congaree National Park, Lake Marion and the beautiful Santee State Park.
6.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
🚗 180 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 10 minutes
Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park, offering stunning biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes at every turn. From here, you can also visit Cherokee, the homeland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The beautiful places you can visit en route are the scenic Shunkawauken Falls, the impressive Biltmore Estate in Asheville and pretty Lake Junaluska.
7.
Myrtle Beach
🚗 175 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 30 minutes
Myrtle Beach has 60 miles of sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Unwind on the beach, stroll the boardwalk and top it all off with local seafood and some mouth-watering Carolina BBQ.
As you drive towards the Atlantic Ocean, you will get the opportunity to spend some time at Cheraw State Park and Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.
8.
Columbia
🚗 110 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes
Columbia's thriving art and live performance scene will surprise you. It's also got an amazing restaurant scene that extends well beyond its famous BBQ and tons of local breweries.
You can extend this road trip to visit Glencairn Garden in Rock Hill and Landsford Canal State Park, both short detours, on the way.
9.
Asheville
🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes
Mountain vibes meld with Southern Charm in Asheville, which is the perfect home base to explore Pisgah National Forest's mile-high peaks and cascading waterfalls. This mountain city is also a great gateway to the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway.
On your way to scenic Asheville, you can enjoy a lovely picnic by the shore of Lake Lure and explore Chimney Rock State Park.
10.
Boone and Blowing Rock
🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 2 hours
These Blue Ridge Mountain towns are surrounded by amazing outdoor adventure destinations, sitting on the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway. Rugged adventure lovers will revel in the hiking, biking, and river adventures to be had nearby.
This is a relatively short drive, so you can take some extra time to visit Adventure Landing Gastonia and Hickory Aviation Museum en route.
11.
Knoxville
🚗 230 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 30 minutes
Knoxville's nature-loving-artsiness perfectly rounds out its historical offerings, and it is gaining a reputation as a foodie city. You will also find Pigeon Forge nearby, which is home to Dollywood's country music-themed amusem*nt park.
One the way, we recommend spending some time in Asheville, exploring Cherokee National Forest, and letting your inner child out in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
12.
Savannah
🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 15 minutes
Savannah is a city of contrasts, in a good way. Here you can enjoy historic mansions and streets by day, eclectic shops and restaurants by night, and then escape for a day at the beach at Tybee Island.
A few of the amazing places you can visit as you drive to the coast are Columbia, Congaree National Park, Santee State Park and beautiful Lake Marion.
13.
Atlanta
🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 40 minutes
One of the fastest growing cities in the country, Atlanta is creative and dynamic with its booming business scene, superb dining, and tons of cultural activities, historical attractions, sporting events, and nightlife fun.
There are many places you can visit on your way to Atlanta including Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville and Georgia Museum of Art in Athens.
14.
Shenandoah National Park
🚗 300 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 50 minutes
With over 500 miles of trails and excellent camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park is a great place to unwind. It feels far from everything, but is only 30 minutes away from Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia.
For a quirky sight, you can visit the World's Largest Chest of Drawers in High Point as you drive to the national park and make a stop at Greensboro for a meal.
15.
Richmond
🚗 290 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 20 minutes
Richmond played an important role in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and you can trace and tour 15 historic landmarks and then take a load off at one of the city's eclectic shops and restaurants.
En route, you can spend some time in Greensboro and Durham as well as make a detour to Raleigh and explore Pamplin Historical Park.
16.
Raleigh
🚗 305 miles ⏱️ 5 hours
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, is an energetic, eclectic, and affordable city full of culture, history, and outdoor activities. Raleigh has several excellent museums, great food, and lots of opportunities for biking, hiking, canoeing, and more.
On the way to Raleigh, stop at Lake James State Park to paddle around the lake, fish, bike, or hike the forest amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains.
17.
Huntersville
🚗 35 miles ⏱️ 50 minutes
The quick drive through Huntersville is the perfect trip is perfect for a sunny afternoon. Nearby, Lake Norman is the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina that is a mecca for water sports, fishing, and other recreational activities.
On your way, we recommend visiting the Carolina Raptor Center, where you can see and learn about majestic birds of prey.
18.
Winston-Salem
🚗 80 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes
Winston-Salem's unique history and eclectic arts and tech scene attract foodies, historians, and retirees from all over the country. The Blue Ridge Mountains are located just outside the city, so there are also tons of opportunities for hiking, biking, and adventuring.
If you have a little extra time, you can also visit Charlotte Motor Speedway and Lexington.
19.
Abingdon
🚗 155 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 10 minutes
Voted one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America,” Abington's historic dining and lodging offer a unique way to experience the town's rich past. The town is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains near the Appalachian Trail.
On the way, you can visit Hickory Aviation Museum, admire the views from Thunder Hill Overlook near Blowing Rock and hike in Cherokee National Forest.
20.
Wilmington
🚗 215 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 40 minutes
Wilmington is a vibrant riverfront city that acts as the gateway to Cape Fear Coast beaches like Carolina Beach, which features a vintage boardwalk with all the trimmings, arcade games, mini golf, pizza, and ice cream all available along its white sand beaches.
If you have time, you can also check out Aw Shucks Farms and theNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville en route.
21.
Roanoke
🚗 230 miles ⏱️ 4 hours
Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke's downtown offers boutique shopping and dazzling local dining while the surrounding area is an outdoor playground. Nearby, Smith Mountain Lake is a quintessential mountain lake retreat.
You will find plenty of new places to discover en route such as Fancy Gap, Fort Chiswell Animal Park and Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum in Wytheville.
22.
Douglas Lake
🚗 230 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 20 minutes
Get lost in Cherokee National Forest amidst the legendary Great Smoky Mountains National Park and continue on to Douglas Lake to hike along the beautiful shoreline or get out on the water for adventure, fishing, or just to cruise around and soak in your surroundings.
En route, take some time to discover the beautiful Shunkawauken Falls, the scenic city of Asheville and Cherokee National Forest.
23.
Outer Banks
🚗 380 miles ⏱️ 6 hours
The Outer Bank's enormous sand dunes give way to broad sandy beaches and the coastline is peppered with laid back beach towns primed for year-round fun and relaxation. The coast offers fun nightlife; and reaps excellent seafood.
If you have time, you can have a meal at Greensboro en route, explore Raleigh and admire the scenic backdrop of Bodie Island Lighthouse on the shore.
24.
Cornelius
🚗 20 miles ⏱️ 25 minutes
If you are looking for a short day trip to a charming small town, you can visit Cornelius for a relaxing day at the lake or explore local shops. This charming town is a great escape just outside Charlotte.
If you have a little extra time, you can also visit Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park just as you enter Cornelius for a fun and adventurous day out.
25.
Belmont
🚗 15 miles ⏱️ 20 minutes
Another great town to visit for a day trip, pretty Belmont is nestled near Charlotte, and is home to a historic downtown, eateries, and riverside parks ideal for a quick getaway. You can also visit the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden here.
This is a short drive and we recommend extending it to visit Iswa Nature Preserve just before crossing across Catawba River en route.
26.
Brevard
🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 15 minutes
Brevard is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and the annual White Squirrel Weekend, which celebrates the adorable and beautiful critters that also call this beautiful town home.
As you drive to Brevard, you can also visit the small town of Shelby, Shunkawauken Falls and Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site en route.
Longer road trips from Charlotte
1.
Niagara Falls🚗 740 miles ⏱️ 12 hours, 20 minutes
Niagara Falls is one place where you should go chasing waterfalls. Get up close to the falls and feel the spray and power of the water as it crashes down.
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2.
New Orleans🚗 825 miles ⏱️ 13 hours, 45 minutes
New Orleans has fabulous and unique food; a vibrant jazz and blues scene; stunning architecture; and an incessant and insatiable festive atmosphere.
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3.
Los Angeles🚗 2,420 miles ⏱️ 36 hours
While visiting Los Angeles, you can brush elbows with the stars; scream your heart out on world-class thrill rides; and kick back and relax on its beautiful beaches.
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