Origin
Charlotte, NC
Late night in Charlotte on Wednesday
Local time
1:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
33m
Distance
26.4 mi
43 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 26.4-mile journey from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC is a quick drive, estimated to take around 33 minutes. It's a straightforward trip that’s perfect for a single day, with no need for an overnight stay. You'll be navigating using West Sugar Creek Road and I-85 North, making it a convenient local route within the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, this is an economical option for getting between these two North Carolina cities. The overall feel of this drive is that of a typical local commute, connecting two points efficiently.
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
13.2 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be on surface streets for the entire 26.4 miles, offering a more connected feel to the surrounding area. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to mention as the route is characterized by frequent turns and intersections rather than long, uninterrupted segments. The drive progresses by moving through various local roads, rather than a distinct shift in scenery or road type.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Sugar Creek Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC is easy. At 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Sugar Creek Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 85 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Julius Chambers Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mallard Creek Church Road East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Mallard Creek Church Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Tryon Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Concord Parkway South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cabarrus Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Sugar Creek Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
South Tryon Street
2
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sugar Creek Road
3
Take the ramp right toward I 85 North: Concord
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 85 North: Concord
4
Merge slight left onto Julius Chambers Highway
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Julius Chambers Highway
5
Take the exit slight right toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Mallard Creek Church Road East
6
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Mallard Creek Church Road
7
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Tryon Street
8
Continue on Concord Parkway South
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Concord Parkway South
9
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cabarrus Avenue West
157 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
11
Exit the roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
12
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
410 ft
·
11 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 33-minute duration and 26.4-mile distance, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at any time of day without much concern for traffic congestion typical of longer interstates, although local rush hour should still be considered. With a fuel cost of only $4, refueling isn't a major planning point, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a 'turn-heavy local drive,' pay close attention to navigation, especially around the transitions onto and off of West Sugar Creek Road and Julius Chambers Highway.
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 13.2 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 16m into the drive.
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 26.4 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.2 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 26.4 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlotte, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.2 mi from Charlotte, NC · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.2 miles from Charlotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$4.13 one way
$8.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $4.51 | $9.03 |
| premium | $4.70 | $4.89 | $9.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.83 | $11.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.27 |
| Efficient EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.31 | $1.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.70 | $1.69 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night in Concord on Wednesday
Local time
1:15 AM
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
1 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
33m 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 Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC covers 26.4 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Sugar Creek Road, I 85 North, Julius Chambers Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.2 miles from Charlotte, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.13 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 drive from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC is easy. At 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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