Origin
Carolina Beach, NC
Afternoon in Carolina Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carolina Beach, NC to Concord, NC
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
210.1 mi
338 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carolina Beach, NC
Aaron Ulsh
Concord, NC
C k
Trip Overview
Traveling from the coast to the Piedmont, this 210.1-mile journey connects Carolina Beach to Concord in approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget about $34 for fuel to complete the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The path transitions entirely within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast coastal region toward the inland heart of the state. Expect a mix of navigation through local corridors rather than a simple interstate cruise, making it a trip that requires your full attention behind the wheel.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105 miles from Carolina Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience rather than a monotonous highway slog, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature. Only 28% of your journey will be spent on major highways, leaving the remainder to navigate through smaller corridors. You will spend your longest uninterrupted time behind the wheel during a 91.9-mile stretch on the Andrew Jackson Highway. As you progress, you will shift between these longer, steady stretches and the more winding segments that characterize the American Indian Highway and NC 742. This combination makes for a dynamic drive that demands constant engagement with the road.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 91.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 131.7 miles in near US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 210.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 131.7 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.1 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.8 miles (US 601): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
131.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
146.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
6
196.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
US 601
Turn right onto US 601
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
206.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
Union Street South
Take the exit onto Union Street South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
209.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
|
NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 91.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| NC 742 | 24.9 mi | 35m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| Carolina Beach Road | 11.9 mi | 19m |
| US 601 | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| NC 24 | 8.7 mi | 13m |
| Ocean Highway East | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Beach, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on this road
47 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 421
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lake Park Boulevard
3
Continue on US 421
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
4
Turn left onto US 421
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 421 Truck
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Front Street
6
Take the ramp onto US 421 Truck
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 421 Truck
7
Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
8
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ocean Highway East
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74; US 76
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 74
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi
·
15 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
16
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
17
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 52; NC 742
18
Continue on NC 742
25 mi
·
35 min
·
NC 742
19
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
NC 205
20
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi
·
13 min
·
NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto US 601
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 601
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit onto Union Street South
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Union Street South
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on NC 3
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Branchview Drive Southeast
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto NC 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Corban Avenue Southeast
26
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
27
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4.5-hour trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive and keep your focus sharp. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy sections before any potential local traffic builds up. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highway stretches, to ensure you stay within your $34 budget. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your schedule based on your personal comfort. Pay close attention to your navigation when moving between the Andrew Jackson Highway and the smaller local roads to ensure you stay on the most efficient path to Concord.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 105 miles from Carolina Beach, NC, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
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 Carolina Beach, 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 Carolina Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 210.1 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carolina Beach, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 91.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105 mi from Carolina Beach, NC · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105 miles from Carolina Beach, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 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
$33.62 one way
$67.25 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $36.64 | $73.27 |
| premium | $4.78 | $39.52 | $79.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.68 | $93.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63 | 0 | $22.06 | $10.08 |
| Efficient EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84 | 1 | $29.41 | $13.45 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Concord, NC
Afternoon in Concord on Sunday
Local time
4:05 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Concord, NC covers 210.1 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, NC 742. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105 miles from Carolina Beach, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 210.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 131.7 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.1 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.8 miles (US 601): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carolina Beach, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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