Charlotte ramp ranked among NC’s most stressful. Here’s what to know

A new survey from the Regan Zambri Law group has named the I-77 Exit 5 to Tyvola Road ramp the second most stressful off ramp in North Carolina. The findings come as Charlotte debates major changes to I-77 South, including a controversial toll lane project.

FULL STORY: Charlotte road just named among most stressful in NC. Guess which one

Here are key takeaways:

• The Regan Zambri Law group surveyed more than 3,000 drivers in April 2026 to identify the most anxiety-inducing off ramps across the country.
• Researchers asked drivers to choose from a list of frequently used exits and junctions rather than compiling crash data, aiming to measure the driver experience.
• The report says traffic on I-77 tightens as drivers approach Exit 5, with signals positioned close to the ramp’s end and steady turning traffic causing vehicles to stack up.
• During peak hours, drivers slow earlier than expected as the ramp fills and the transition from freeway to local streets happens quickly.
• The NC Department of Transportation plans to add toll lanes to an 11-mile stretch of I-77 from uptown to the South Carolina border to ease congestion.
• The Charlotte City Council has raised concerns about the project, including a plan to request a pause on any irreversible actions.
• NCDOT is now requesting community feedback on the project, which has raised worries about resident displacement and impacts on parks and green spaces.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

Eva Flowe

The Charlotte Observer

Eva Flowe is a North Carolina native and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She joined the Charlotte Observer as part of the NC service journalism team in April 2026.