The drive from Balfour, NC to Concord, NC covers 122.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cameron Morrison Bridge, Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway, Andrew Jackson Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.4 miles on Cameron Morrison Bridge.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from Balfour, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 122.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 34m drive with frequent turns across 122.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cameron Morrison Bridge is the longest continuous segment at about 18.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 64 / Four Seasons Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 122.2 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 1.9 miles (US 64 / Four Seasons Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|US 64 / Four Seasons Boulevard
Turn left onto US 64 / Four Seasons Boulevard
Navigation decision point
8
18.5 mi into trip|~24m in|US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
7
18.8 mi into trip|~25m in|US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
8
73.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
7
110 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Balfour, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Mallard Creek Church Road East.
Rutherfordton
18.5 mi in|~24m|via US 74
Spartanburg
73.1 mi in|~1h 30m
Charlotte
73.2 mi in|~1h 30m
Mallard Creek Church Road East
110 mi in|~2h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cameron Morrison Bridge
18.4 mi
22m
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
18.2 mi
19m
Andrew Jackson Highway
17.9 mi
21m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi
21m
James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi
17m
West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi
17m
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi
7m
Concord Parkway South
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Cameron Morrison Bridge
— 18.4 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balfour, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Balfour Road
177 ft·4 sec·Balfour Road
2
Continue on Berkeley Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Berkeley Road
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Berkeley Road
295 ft·10 sec·Berkeley Road
4
Continue on Signal Hill Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Signal Hill Road
5
Turn right onto Thompson Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Thompson Street
6
Turn left onto US 64
0.2 mi·23 sec·Four Seasons Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 26, US 74, US 25
8
Merge onto I 26; US 74; US 25
4.1 mi·4 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 74
0.3 mi·18 sec·Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, RutherfordtonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
0.2 mi·10 sec·Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
12
Continue on US 74
18 mi·19 min·Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 74
15 mi·17 min·James A. Callahan Highway
14
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi·17 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
16
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi·7 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 85
18 mi·21 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 85
18 mi·22 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 46AToward Mallard Creek Church Road EastUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
0.9 mi·1 min·West Mallard Creek Church Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto US 29
2.2 mi·3 min·North Tryon Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 29
6.7 mi·9 min·Concord Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi·1 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the right lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
156 ft·3 sec·Cabarrus Avenue West
27
Continue on Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi·2 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
28
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft·11 sec·Spring Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.1 miles from Balfour, NC, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.4 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
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 Balfour, 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 Balfour, NC
This is one driving day of about 122.2 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Balfour, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 18.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.1 mi from Balfour, NC
· 1h 14m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.83
$5.87
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.69
$4.89
EV Truck/SUV
48.9
0
$17.11
$7.82
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Balfour, NC
Late night
in Balfour on Saturday
Local time
2:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
2:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Balfour, NC to Concord, NC covers 122.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cameron Morrison Bridge, Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway, Andrew Jackson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.1 miles from Balfour, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.11 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 122.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 64 / Four Seasons Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Balfour, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Mallard Creek Church Road East.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
