Drive Time
52m
Distance
32.9 mi
53 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
The drive from Concord, NC to Denver, NC covers 32.9 miles and takes about 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Davidson Highway, Sam Furr Road, NC 73 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.9 miles on Davidson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.27 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
16.5 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
The drive from Concord, NC to Denver, NC covers 32.9 miles and takes about 52m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cabarrus Avenue West.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 32.9 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 0.3 miles (NC 73 / Church Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (US 29; US 601; NC 73 / Concord Parkway North): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto NC 73 / Church Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 29; US 601; NC 73 / Concord Parkway North
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto NC 73 / Davidson Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward NC 16 North: Newton
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson Highway | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| Sam Furr Road | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| NC 73 | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| NC 16 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Church Street Northeast | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Saint James Church Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Concord Parkway North | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Davidson Drive Northwest | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Denver, NC.
Start on Spring Street Southwest
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Turn left onto NC 73
Turn left onto NC 73
Turn left onto US 29; US 601; NC 73
Turn right onto NC 73
Continue on NC 73
Continue on NC 73
Continue on NC 73
Continue on NC 73
Take the ramp
Merge onto NC 16
Turn right onto Saint James Church Road
Turn left onto NC 16 BUS
Continue on this road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 32.9 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.5 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, NC than in the middle of the route.
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 32.9 miles and 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.5 mi from Concord, NC · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 32.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.5 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Denver, 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 Denver, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.27 one way
$10.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.74 | $11.47 |
| premium | $4.78 | $6.19 | $12.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.31 | $14.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.45 | $1.58 |
| Efficient EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.88 | $1.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Concord on Sunday
Local time
1:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Denver on Sunday
Local time
1:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Cornelius, NC
16 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Concord, NC or browse trips ending in Denver, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Concord, NC or Denver, NC on MapSof.net.
