Origin
Concord, NC
Late night in Concord on Friday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Concord, NC to Greensboro, NC
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
72 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 72-mile drive from Concord, NC to Greensboro, NC takes about 1 hour and 24 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, with no need to break it up into multiple days. You'll primarily be on I-85, making it a highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Both locations are within the Southeast region, so you'll stay within familiar territory. This route offers a simple and efficient way to travel between these two North Carolina cities.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 72 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highly focused highway experience, with 92% of this 72-mile journey taking place on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.6 miles, all on I-85. This means you'll be moving at a consistent pace for a significant portion of the drive. While primarily interstate, you will also use sections of US 601 and Freeman Mill Road closer to your destination. The road's personality is predominantly that of efficient travel, designed for covering distance quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 72 miles you will encounter 9 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 9 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 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
7
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 220 North: Coliseum Area
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 35B
Toward US 220 North: Coliseum Area
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 Greensboro, 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 |
| Freeman Mill Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| US 29 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Church Street Northeast | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Concord Parkway North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Edgeworth Street | 0.2 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 Greensboro, 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
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29, US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 35B
Toward US 220 North: Coliseum Area
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 220
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Freeman Mill Road
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Freeman Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight onto Freeman Mill Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
Freeman Mill Road
13
Continue on South Edgeworth Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Edgeworth Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto West Market Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Market Street
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Market Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36 mi from Concord, NC · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Greensboro, NC
The final approach into Greensboro, 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
$11.26 one way
$22.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.31 | $24.62 |
| premium | $4.70 | $13.33 | $26.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.30 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Greensboro, NC
Late night in Greensboro on Friday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Spencer, NC
36 mi in
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
22 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 24m 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 Greensboro, NC covers 72 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, US 601, Freeman Mill Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36 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 $11.26 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 72 miles you will encounter 9 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 Greensboro, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.
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