Origin
Concord, NC
Evening in Concord on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Concord, NC to Alamance, NC
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
88.6 mi
143 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, NC
C k
Alamance, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Concord to Alamance, expect a straightforward journey covering 88.6 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 1 hour and 44 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for approximately $14 in fuel costs for the round trip. The route stays entirely within the Southeast region of North Carolina, keeping your transit focused and efficient. Since this is a quick excursion, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure without needing to worry about complex scheduling or multiple rest stops.
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
44.3 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like I-85, US-601, and I-40. You will encounter a consistent, high-speed pace as you navigate the transition between these primary roads. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on I-85, where you will cover 36.6 miles without needing to exit. While the experience is primarily an interstate grind rather than a winding back-road adventure, the route is functional and predictable. Expect to spend most of your time maintaining highway speeds as you move across the state.
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 36.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 601. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cabarrus Avenue West.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 88.6 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 0.1 miles (Cabarrus Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cabarrus Avenue West
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 601
Take the exit onto US 601 toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
8
32.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29, US 70
8
85.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward University Drive, Elon
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 140
Toward University Drive, Elon
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Concord, NC to Alamance, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.
High Point
32.1 mi in
|
~39m
|
via I 85
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| US 601 | 25.3 mi | 28m |
| I 40 | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| US 29 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Church Street Northeast | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Kirkpatrick Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| University Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Concord Parkway North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 36.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Alamance, NC.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
409 ft
·
17 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto NC 73
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Church Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 29; US 601
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Concord Parkway North
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 601
25 mi
·
28 min
·
US 601
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29, US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 140
Toward University Drive, Elon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto University Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
University Drive
12
Continue on Grand Oaks Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Grand Oaks Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Kirkpatrick Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Kirkpatrick Road
Use the none lane.
14
At end of road, turn right onto NC 62
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Alamance Road
15
Continue on NC 62
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
S NC Highway 62 E
16
Turn left onto Cardinal Lane
33 ft
·
1 sec
·
Cardinal Lane
17
Arrive at destination
Cardinal Lane
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 44-minute drive, you have plenty of freedom to choose your departure time to avoid peak traffic. You likely won't need any formal stops given the manageable duration, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-85 is a smart move to ensure you don't overpay at less convenient stations. Since the route relies so heavily on I-85 and I-40, check local traffic reports for these major arteries before you head out to avoid potential congestion. Taking advantage of the direct highway connections allows you to maximize your time at your destination in Alamance.
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 44.3 miles from Concord, NC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.3 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alamance, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Concord, 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 Concord, NC
This is one driving day of about 88.6 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Concord, 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 36.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.3 mi from Concord, NC · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 44.3 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alamance, NC
The final approach into Alamance, 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 Alamance, 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
$14.18 one way
$28.36 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $15.45 | $30.90 |
| premium | $4.78 | $16.67 | $33.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.68 | $39.37 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.30 | $4.25 |
| Efficient EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.75 | $3.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.40 | $5.67 |
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.
Destination
Alamance, NC
Evening in Alamance on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m 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 Concord, NC to Alamance, NC covers 88.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, US 601, 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 44.3 miles from Concord, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.18 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 88.6 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 0.1 miles (Cabarrus Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Concord, NC to Alamance, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.
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