The drive from Buxton, NC to Concord, NC covers 380.3 miles and takes about 7h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 85, US 64, US 13 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.6 miles on I 85.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.47 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190.1 miles from Buxton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 51m. Total distance: 380.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 51m highway drive covering 380.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 85 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.6 miles on I 85.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 102.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 224 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 380.3 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 224 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 311.2 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 376.8 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 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
224 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
8
311.2 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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...
8
376.8 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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...
8
376.9 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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...
7
380.2 mi into trip|~7h 51m 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
102.6 mi
1h 53m
US 64
67.3 mi
1h 27m
US 13
58.3 mi
1h 3m
US 64 Bypass
27.8 mi
29m
North Carolina Highway 12
24.6 mi
42m
NC 12
23.6 mi
33m
Washington Baum Bridge
20.7 mi
27m
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buxton, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on this road
12 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn left
99 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto NC 12
25 mi·42 min·North Carolina Highway 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto NC 12
194 ft·3 sec·NC 12
5
Continue on NC 12
24 mi·33 min·NC 12
6
Turn left onto US 64; SR 1521
1.5 mi·2 min·South Virginia Dare Trail
7
Continue on US 64
21 mi·27 min·Washington Baum Bridge
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
67 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
1.8 mi·2 min·US 13; US 17
10
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 13; US 64
11
Continue on US 64 Bypass
28 mi·29 min·US 64 Bypass
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
13
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft·7 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
14
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Rolesville Road
15
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Marks Creek Road
16
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Horton Road
17
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi·6 min·Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·23 sec
19
Merge onto I 540
15 mi·16 min·Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi·3 min·New Raleigh Highway
23
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi·12 min·South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi·48 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
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: CharlotteUse the left lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto US 601
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 601
Exit 58Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 601
0.8 mi·1 min·US 601
Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord DowntownUse the left lane.
30
Turn straight onto Church Street North
2.2 mi·4 min·Church Street North
Use the straight / left lanes.
31
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.2 mi·39 sec·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft·11 sec·Spring Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.1 miles from Buxton, NC, or about 4h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 84 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.1 miles or 4h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 43m
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 Buxton, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buxton, NC
This is one driving day of about 380.3 miles and 7h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Buxton, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 102.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 190.1 mi from Buxton, NC
· 4h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
National Seashore
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants,...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 13.1
Park Closure: Beach fires temporarily banned due to dry conditions and statewide burn ban
Park Closure: Beach safety closure in place from Buxton Village to near Ramp 43
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.47 one way
$118.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$65.03
$130.05
premium
$4.70
$70.39
$140.77
diesel
$5.61
$83.97
$167.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.1
1
$39.93
$18.25
Efficient EV
95.1
1
$33.28
$15.21
EV Truck/SUV
152.1
1
$53.24
$24.34
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 12, 2026
Origin
Buxton, NC
Late night
in Buxton on Friday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Friday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
14 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
7h 51m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buxton, NC to Concord, NC covers 380.3 miles and takes about 7h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, US 64, US 13. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 190.1 miles from Buxton, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 380.3 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 224 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 311.2 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 376.8 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Buxton, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wright Brothers National Memorial.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
