North Carolina driving guide

Getting ready for a trip to North Carolina? Get to know the state’s driving rules and regulations for a comfortable drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond. Find out the speed limits in North Carolina, as well as any toll roads around Charlotte or Raleigh you might need to plan for along the way.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between North Carolina and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) states that when two vehicles approach an intersection, the right of way belongs to the vehicle on the right. 
• Headlights must be used when visibility is restricted to 400 feet or less. They should also be turned on when using windshield wipers in wet weather conditions.
• Persons 18 years of age or older may take cellphone calls whilst driving. However, texting isn’t allowed – regardless of your age.
• You can make a right turn at a red light, following a complete stop – unless there’s a sign stating otherwise. Left turns are not allowed on red.  

Speed limits in North Carolina

Toll roads in North Carolina

There are two toll roads in North Carolina – The North Carolina Triangle Expressway and The North Carolina Monroe Expressway. There are also express lanes along the I-77, which are tolled at certain times of day.

The Triangle Expressway

Stretching more than 18 miles along the outer city loop between Raleigh and Durham, this modern toll road is split into two sections:

·       Toll NC 885 – between the I-40 and NC 540.

·       Toll NC 540 – between NC 54 and NC 55.

From: I-40 / I-885, near the Research Triangle Park

To: NC 55 in Apex, Wake County

Cost for car: $0.30-$3.80 with NC Quick Pass, depending on entry and exit point.

Cost for truck (three-axle): $0.60-$7.60 with NC Quick Pass.

How to pay: You can pay with an NC Quick Pass transponder. Otherwise, an invoice will be sent by mail, which you’ll need to pay.

The Monroe Expressway

You’ll find the all-electronic Monroe Expressway – or Toll US 74 Bypass – situated southeast of Charlotte, providing an alternative route into the city.

From: Stallings

To: Marshville

Cost for car: $0.21-$2.77 with NC Quick Pass, depending on entry and exit point.

Cost for truck:  $0.42-$5.54 with NC Quick Pass.

How to pay: NC Quick Pass

I-77 Express Lanes

These tolled express lanes opened in late 2019 to help ease congestion along the I-77 between Charlotte and Mooresville.

From: Exit 11 for I-277, Charlotte

To: Exit 36 for NC 150, Mooresville

Cost for car: Varies based on dynamic pricing. Free to use if there are more than three passengers in the car.

Cost for truck: Up to three times the rate for two-axle cars, with dynamic pricing rate.

How to pay: You can pay with an NC Quick Pass or toll invoice.

Driving ages and license requirements in North Carolina

• The minimum driving age in North Carolina is 18.
• The minimum age to rent a car in North Carolina is 21

Discover more about renting when you’re under 25 with Hertz.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in North Carolina

When driving in North Carolina, make sure you have:

• Your driver’s license
• Your car rental agreement
• A copy of your car insurance
• Owner’s manual.

It can also be useful to have the following items at hand:

• Spare tire
• Wheel wrench
• Tripod jack
• Tool kit
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• First aid kit
• Water
• Spare oil (in case of oil changes)
• Windshield washer.

North Carolina speed violations, infractions and penalties

Speed limit laws in North Carolina state that motorists need to drive at a reasonable speed, dependent on weather conditions. For example, driving at 50mph may seem appropriate on a sunny day but isn’t such a good idea in conditions where visibility is poor. 

Fines for speeding generally range from $10 to $50. There are also additional administrative fees for the legal proceedings which could raise that to around $150.

Drivers who are over the limit in schools or construction areas could pay a fine of up to $250 for driving over the speed limit.

Driving with children in North Carolina

North Carolina law states that children 5 years of age and younger who weigh less than 40 pounds need to be seated in the back of a car with active passenger-side airbags. It’s highly recommended to keep them seated at the back of the car until they reach 12 or 13 years of age.

• Car seat requirements in NC – children up to 8 years of age and those who weigh less than 80 pounds need to be seated in a child seat at the back of the car.
• Minimum height for sitting in the front - children who are 12 years of age or older and at least 135cm tall can sit in the front of the car.

Gas prices in North Carolina

The average gas price in North Carolina is $3.51 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a 2022 Chevrolet Spark, that’s about $0.09 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Toyota Corolla, it’s about $0.13 per mile.

Gas price figures last updated October 28, 2022.

Electric car charging in North Carolina

With many efforts made in the last decade to improve the infrastructure for electric vehicles in the state of North Carolina, there are charging points scattered throughout the state.

You’ll find many within the city limits, especially around the Charlotte, Columbia and Wilmington areas, with many malls and hotels catering to EV drivers.

Driving between North Carolina and other states

It’s fairly simple to drive between North Carolina and its neighboring states, including South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee . We have Hertz pick-up and drop-off points across the region and wider East Coast. Simply pick up a vehicle of your choice and drop it off at any one of our other locations throughout the states.

Driving conditions in North Carolina

The average temperature is 66°F in the eastern part of the state, compared to the central region, which can reach 55°F. This makes driving in North Carolina relatively easy and pleasant.

The highest rainfall tends to be in July and August, while October and November experience the least amount of rain. So, if you’re visiting in the wetter months, bear in mind that it could affect visibility when driving.