Trip from Alamance, NC to Concord, NC

Drive Time

1h 43m

Distance

89.1 mi

143 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 36m ★

6 AM

1h 44m

8 AM

1h 59m

10 AM

1h 49m

12 PM

1h 48m

3 PM

1h 50m

5 PM

1h 58m

8 PM

1h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Alamance, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Concord, NC

C k

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick trip from Alamance to Concord, you are looking at a straightforward 89.1-mile drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it connects two familiar points within the Southeast region of North Carolina. You can expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel, making it a very economical trek. Because the journey is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated travel logistics. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive keeps things simple and direct.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

44.6 miles from Alamance, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a very efficient trip, as 94% of your time will be spent cruising on major highways. You will primarily navigate via I-40, the Sam Hunt Freeway, and I-85, which keeps the pace fast and consistent. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 60.2-mile stretch on I-85, which serves as the backbone of this journey. Because the route is so heavily reliant on interstates, you can anticipate a steady, high-speed experience rather than a winding backroads adventure. It is a functional and predictable drive that prioritizes speed and reliability over technical or scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 60.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Sam Hunt Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.3 miles in near I 40.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 89.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.6 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

12.3 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

20 mi into trip | ~25m in | US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...

85.6 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | US 601

Take the exit onto US 601 toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 58 Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord...

85.8 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | US 601

Keep slight left at fork onto US 601 toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downt...

89 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | Spring Street Southwest

Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 85	60.2 mi	1h 4m
Sam Hunt Freeway	8.8 mi	10m
I 40	7.7 mi	9m
US 29	5.4 mi	5m
Church Street North	2.2 mi	4m
Kirkpatrick Road	1.4 mi	2m
US 601	1 mi	1m
University Drive	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 85 — 60.2 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alamance, NC and Concord, NC.

Start on Cardinal Lane

33 ft · 3 sec · Cardinal Lane

Turn right onto NC 62

0.4 mi · 37 sec · S NC Highway 62 E

Continue on NC 62

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Alamance Road

Turn left onto Kirkpatrick Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Kirkpatrick Road

Turn left onto Grand Oaks Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Grand Oaks Boulevard

Continue on University Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · University Drive

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Merge onto I 40; I 85

8.8 mi · 10 min · Sam Hunt Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29

5.4 mi · 5 min · US 29

Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 85

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 601

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 601

Exit 58 Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 601

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 601

Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downtown Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto Church Street North

2.2 mi · 4 min · Church Street North

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest

409 ft · 11 sec · Spring Street Southwest

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

Spring Street Southwest

Trip Plan

Since this is a compact drive with no mandatory stops required, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Aim to depart outside of peak rush hour times to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 43-minute estimate, especially when merging onto the busier sections of I-85. Given that your total fuel cost is estimated at just $14, you can easily budget for a full tank before you leave to avoid mid-trip refueling. Take advantage of the lack of required stops by keeping your momentum steady, but always stay alert for potential traffic congestion along the I-40 and I-85 corridors. Keeping your pace consistent is the best way to make this quick trip feel like a breeze.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Alamance, NC, or about 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 44.6 miles or 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Alamance, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alamance, NC

This is one driving day of about 89.1 miles and 1h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alamance, NC.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 60.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 44.6 mi from Alamance, NC · 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

High Point, NC

45 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Cornelius, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

High Point, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.6 miles from Alamance, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.2 miles.

Arriving in Concord, NC

The final approach into Concord, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Concord, NC.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.26 one way

$28.52 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$15.54	$31.07
premium	$4.78	$16.76	$33.52
diesel	$5.64	$19.79	$39.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26.7	$9.36	$4.28
Efficient EV	22.3	$7.80	$3.56
EV Truck/SUV	35.6	$12.47	$5.70

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Alamance, NC

Evening in Alamance on Sunday

Local time

6:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

91°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Concord, NC

Evening in Concord on Sunday

Local time

6:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

27 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 43m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Alamance, NC to Concord, NC covers 89.1 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 85, Sam Hunt Freeway, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 44.6 miles from Alamance, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

The route from Alamance, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Concord, NC to Alamance, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

88.6 mi 1h 44m

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Trip from Alamance, NC to Concord, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Concord, NC

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alamance, NC

Concord, NC

Same local time

27 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 43m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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