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Trip from Concord, NC to Burlington, NC

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

91.2 mi

147 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in North Carolina, United States

Concord, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in Alamance and Guilford counties, North Carolina, United States

Burlington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 91.2-mile journey from Concord, NC, to Burlington, NC, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 47 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it's perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient relocation between these two North Carolina cities. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for travelers. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing speed and directness. Both Concord and Burlington are located in the Southeast region of the US, offering a consistent regional experience throughout your drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.6 miles from Concord, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 91.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 94% of the route being on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-85, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 36.6 miles. This interstate segment is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly. While the profile is predominantly highway, the transition to US-601 and then I-40 means you'll experience a mix of high-speed travel and slightly more varied highway conditions as you approach your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.2 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 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 10 key points

These 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 straight / slight right lanes. 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 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
88 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance

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 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Concord, NC to Burlington, 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 17.1 mi 19m
US 29 5.9 mi 6m
Church Street Northeast 2.2 mi 4m
South Church Street 1.6 mi 3m
Alamance Road 1.3 mi 2m
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 Burlington, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
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 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 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

17 mi · 19 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto NC 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · Alamance Road
12

Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Arrive at destination

US 70; NC 62

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this route offers considerable flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, though leaving in the morning will allow for a full day at your destination. There are no mandatory stops suggested, but planning for one brief break around the halfway point, perhaps near the transition from I-85 to US-601, could be beneficial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $14 estimated cost is based on consistent highway speeds; ensure you have enough to reach Burlington without concern, especially before embarking on the 36.6-mile stretch on I-85.

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 45.6 miles from Concord, NC, or about 54m 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 20 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.6 miles or 54m 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 Burlington, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Concord, NC

This is one driving day of about 91.2 miles and 1h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Concord, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 45.6 mi from Concord, NC · 54m into the drive

Downtown Trinity, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Trinity, NC

46 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

Clinton, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Trinity, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.6 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Burlington, NC

The final approach into Burlington, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.26 one way

$28.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.59 $31.19
premium $4.70 $16.88 $33.76
diesel $5.61 $20.14 $40.27

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: 31.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Nissan Charging Station

Burlington, North Carolina

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Burlington, North Carolina

EV Connect

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

Other

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

Blink

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Burlington, North Carolina

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

SocialEfforts – Triad Electric Vehicle Association

Glen Raven, North Carolina

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Other: 4 ChargePoint: 2 EV Connect: 1 Blink: 1 Tesla Destination: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.4 0 $9.58 $4.38
Efficient EV 22.8 0 $7.98 $3.65
EV Truck/SUV 36.5 0 $12.77 $5.84

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Concord, NC

Night in Concord on Thursday

Local time

10:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burlington, NC

Night in Burlington on Thursday

Local time

10:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Trinity, NC

46 mi in

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 47m 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 Burlington, NC covers 91.2 miles and takes about 1h 47m 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 45.6 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 $14.26 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.2 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 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 Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.

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