Looking for the quickest method to go from Charlotte to Asheville, United States so you can make the most of your trip?
These are among the most visited cities in North Carolina since they both have a lot to offer and are near to each other!
Caleb and I have spent lengthy weekends in Charlotte and Asheville, making several blunders along the way, so we know all the ins and outs of making your travel simple and easy!
If you want to eat all of the delicious food in Asheville, visit the Biltmore Estate and tour the many waterfalls in Pisgah Forest, or simply spend time in each city amid the gazillions of craft breweries, you’ll need to know the best methods to get from one city to the next!
There are four viable options for traveling from Charlotte, NC to Asheville, NC, and vice versa. You have the option of flying, taking a shuttle, renting a car, or taking the bus.
This guide was created to show you the costs, durations, and logistics for each of these solutions. By the end, you’ll be able to travel from Charlotte to Asheville without stress and make the most of your vacation!
There are 04 ways to get from Charlotte to Asheville.
Here is a summary of each of the four possibilities, along with a comparison chart:
- Flying is the most expensive alternative, but it is also the quickest in terms of real flight time. However, when you include the time it takes to arrive at the airport an hour before your flight, it comes close to the same duration as driving. This is ideal for those who despise driving and would rather spend their time zoning out to an airplane movie.
- A shuttle is marginally less expensive than flying, but it may soon add up. It is the same length as driving, so it is ideal for individuals who do not want to fly but also do not want to deal with driving parking, and other hassles.
- Driving or hiring a vehicle is the most convenient method to go from Charlotte to Asheville. It’s not as inexpensive as taking the bus, but it allows you to see more and drive as slowly or swiftly as you like, providing you with more options.
- Taking the bus – this is the longest but cheapest alternative, and it is ideal for visitors to North Carolina who wish to save money wherever possible.
Distance Between Charlotte and Asheville
The distance between Charlotte and Asheville is around 130 miles and will take you approximately 2-3 hours to drive depending on traffic. By bus, you should allow 3-4 hours.
Flights from Charlotte to Asheville, Option 1
While flying does not save you much time over time, it is the most convenient option. Flights depart from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), with several direct flights to Asheville Regional Airport.
What Is the Cost of a Flight from Charlotte to Asheville?
The flight from Charlotte to Asheville, NC is incredibly pricey for such a tiny distance. Prices range from $150 to $300 one-way per person as of September 2023.
This does not include the cost of a checked bag, which is normally between $30 and $50.
How Long Does It Take To Fly From Charlotte To Asheville?
If you get a direct flight from Charlotte to Asheville, the trip time is about 45 minutes to an hour. Keep in mind that domestic flights require you to arrive an hour early, which adds time to your journey.
What Airlines Operate Flights From Charlotte To Asheville?
American Airlines is the major airline that flies from Charlotte to Asheville and is the only one that provides direct flights. There are several flights departing each day, so you should have no trouble finding one that fits your schedule. Some Delta and United flights are available, although they always have layovers.
Option 2: Shuttle from Charlotte to Asheville
Unlike traveling from Raleigh to Asheville, when a shuttle is not an option, this is not the case while traveling from Charlotte to Asheville!
If you don’t want to fly or deal with the insanity of North Carolina drivers, you have two options:
- Hire a private shuttle (which is more costly).
- Use a public shuttle (which is less expensive).
How Long Does A Shuttle From Charlotte To Asheville Take?
Depending on traffic, using a public or private shuttle from Charlotte to Asheville will take around 3-4 hours. A public shuttle normally takes a little longer since they have regular restroom breaks and you have to wait for everyone to come for the bus.
What Is the Price of a Shuttle from Charlotte to Asheville?
The price of a shuttle from Charlotte to Asheville will differ depending on whether you take a public or private shuttle.
If you use the public shuttle, you may expect to spend roughly $100 per person on one trip. However, the second person is generally just $50-75.
You should expect to pay $300-$500 for one trip for two individuals if you use a private shuttle.
Option 3: Drive from Charlotte to Asheville
We recommend renting a car and traveling from Charlotte to Asheville! It allows you to stop along the route or venture outside of Asheville instead of relying on Uber or public transportation.
It also spares you the trouble of finding out bus timetables, dealing with late buses, or having to make small chats with the person next to you on the plane when all you want to do is watch your movie. I’m not speaking from personal experience…
How long does it take to drive from Charlotte to Asheville?
The travel from Charlotte to Asheville takes around 2 to 3 hours if you drive straight through, depending on traffic and whether you stop to use the lavatory, buy petrol, etc.
Charlotte has the same rush hour as most major cities in the United States. To avoid peak-hour traffic, we usually recommend leaving Charlotte between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
Is Driving in North Carolina Difficult?
We’ve traveled the world, including nations where we drive on the other side of the road, and we both believe that driving in North Carolina is the most bizarre. A LOT of people are speeding and running “yellow” lights that have been red for several seconds. Maybe it’s the North Carolina heat that drives folks insane.
Not to scare you, but be sure you’re not getting so caught up in your questions to ask on a road trip that you’re not paying attention to the real road.
The Most Direct Route Between Charlotte and Asheville
North Carolinians are divided on this, but we believe that the best route from CLT to Asheville is to drive I-85 to US 321 N in Gastonia and then to I-40W.
While this is a major highway, it passes through massive mountains with vistas of Mt. Mitchell. There may be more traffic, but it is a very broad highway with many lanes, so things should go quickly.
You may also travel I-85 S to Hwy 74 W to I-26 W and then into Asheville. Some people prefer this route since it passes through more small towns with more stoplights and, at times, more construction.
Aside from traffic, both routes take approximately the same amount of time.
Best Places to Visit Between Charlotte and Asheville
Of course, if you want to get to Asheville as soon as possible, you could drive right through. However, given the short distance, we recommend making a few more stops. Our favorite spots along the recommended route from I-85 to US 321 N in Gastonia to I-40W are as follows:
Hickory is 60 miles/1 hour from Charlotte, depending on traffic.
Things to do in Hickory include:
- Explore Union Plaza, the downtown main plaza where all the activity happens. Explore the area’s pubs, restaurants, and stores.
- Explore the Downtown Hickory Farmers Market if you’re staying the night and preparing supper in an Airbnb and want to eat locally.
- “Under The Sails” is a bi-weekly downtown event featuring live music and lots of seating. Before you go, double-check the schedule!
We recommend the Holiday Inn Express Hickory for an overnight stay. It’s not extravagant, like most of the places we recommend, but it’s in an excellent location, clean, and offers a complimentary breakfast!
Local tip: if you stop in Hickory and want to undertake the walk indicated below, stop at Hatch Sandwich Bar to get sandwiches to eat on the trail! Delish!
Stop 2: Catawba Falls, which is approximately 56 miles/55 minutes from Hickory and 110 miles/2 hours from Charlotte, depending on traffic.
If you need to stretch your legs and burn off some of the delicious North Carolina ribs you’ve been eating, take a walk near Catawba Falls.
This simple 3-mile round-trip walk will take you around 3 hours.
NOTE: This path will be closed for maintenance until Spring 2024!
To be honest, this isn’t much of a location to stay, so we recommend stopping, hiking, and continuing.
Stop 3: Black Mountain is around 12 miles/20 minutes from Catawba Falls and approximately 114 miles/2 hours from Charlotte, depending on traffic.
Activities at Black Mountain include:
- Explore the slower-paced Downtown, which is filled with unique shops and eateries. There are also rocking chairs scattered across town for relaxation.
- Many of the breweries, cideries, and distilleries, such as Pisgah Brewing and Black Mountain Ciderworks + Meadery, provide drinks.
- Stroll around Lake Tomahawk for a bit more nature.
If you plan on staying overnight, we recommend the Hampton Inn Black Mountain. Like Hickory, it’s a mid-priced option that’s convenient to everything downtown, clean and offers complimentary breakfast.
From Charlotte to Asheville, there are rest stops.
While fueling stations are always available, there are two primary “official” rest spots on the I-40 Westbound. There are two rest stops: Catawba and McDowell.
Depending on traffic, the Catawba Rest Area is about an hour’s drive from Charlotte.
Depending on traffic, the McDowell Rest Area is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte.
How Much Does a Car Rental From Charlotte To Asheville Cost?
Depending on the season, you may rent a car in Charlotte for $40-$60 per day to travel to Asheville. The lower the price, the longer you hire the vehicle. The cost is also reduced if you plan a round journey rather than picking up in Charlotte and dropping off in Asheville.
We usually suggest Discover Cars when renting a car.
Option 4: Bus from Charlotte to Asheville
Taking a Greyhound bus from Charlotte to Asheville is the most expensive option, but it is also the shortest!
Greyhound buses depart from the Charlotte Bus Station, and there is normally just one direct bus every day. Because schedules sometimes vary, be sure you check the Greyhound website.
How Much Does A Bus Ride From Charlotte To Asheville Cost?
Depending on the season and time of day, bus fares from Charlotte to Asheville run from $20 to $25.
Bus Schedule From Charlotte To Asheville
Buses depart from the Charlotte Bus Station every day at 3:10 p.m. However, the timetable is subject to change, so double-check!
How Long Does the Bus Ride From Charlotte To Asheville Take?
According to the bus timetable, the bus travel from Charlotte to Asheville takes 3 hours. Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate, and traffic might add an hour or more.
Asheville vs. Charlotte
Charlotte and Asheville are both popular North Carolina cities, yet they have quite distinct attitudes.
Charlotte is a lively metropolitan metropolis with a plethora of conveniences, stores, restaurants, and pubs. It is a financial and banking center, which gives it a more international and metropolitan vibe. It lacks cultural diversity yet is ideal for those seeking a metropolitan atmosphere.
Asheville, on the other hand, is a laid-back, hipster mountain town reminiscent of Portland, Oregon. It’s fairly liberal, has a lot of wonderful nightlife and music, and has incredible food selections for its tiny size. It also includes a lovely old town section that is easy to walk through and is one of our favorite destinations in North Carolina!
How Long Do You Need in Charlotte?
Charlotte is a vast city, so there is a lot to see, see, eat, and drink! We recommend spending 2-3 days in Charlotte to make the most of your visit. This offers you time to explore the city and its numerous neighborhoods, including Uptown, The South End, and NoDa.
How Long Do You Need in Asheville?
Although Asheville is much smaller than Charlotte, it is such a popular city that there is always something to do! This is especially true if you enjoy being outside. The Pisgah National Forest and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway are also nearby. We recommend staying for at least two days. 2 days visiting the city, followed by a day in nature or driving down the parkway – especially if it’s autumn and the leaves are lovely colors!
Conclusion
Both Charlotte and Asheville are fantastic destinations to visit, with plenty of things to do, delicious cuisine, and fantastic cocktail bars. The travel from Charlotte to Asheville is also quite quick and straightforward, making it a no-brainer.
We strongly advise hiring a car to make the most of your stay in the region while also having the option to explore the amazing things to do just outside of Asheville that will need you to drive.
We hope this answers all of your questions concerning your short road journey between these two fantastic cities!
