The drive from Concord, NC to Hazelwood, NC covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, US 74, I 85 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.1 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.21 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.8 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Concord, NC to Hazelwood, NC covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 27m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Complexity7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 167.6 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 9.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Cabarrus Avenue West
Turn left onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 485 Outer North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 485 Outer North
8
28.8 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard
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 9-10
Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanb...
9
29.2 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
8
49.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concord, NC and Hazelwood, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Shelby, Asheville, Knoxville, Waynesville and Maggie Valley - among others.
Spartanburg
28.8 mi in|~36m
Shelby
49.2 mi in|~1h 2m
Asheville
105.2 mi in|~2h 9m|via I 26; US 74
Knoxville
139.5 mi in|~2h 51m|via US 74; US 64 Truck
Waynesville
157.9 mi in|~3h 14m|via US 74; US 64 Truck
Maggie Valley
157.9 mi in|~3h 14m|via US 74; US 64 Truck
Franklin
157.9 mi in|~3h 14m|via US 74; US 64 Truck
Murphy
157.9 mi in|~3h 14m|via US 74; US 64 Truck
Atlanta
157.9 mi in|~3h 14m|via US 74; US 64 Truck
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
36.1 mi
43m
US 74
27.3 mi
34m
I 85
19.1 mi
23m
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi
19m
West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi
17m
East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi
17m
Craig Lawing Freeway
10.3 mi
11m
H Allen Tate Jr Highway
7.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 36.1 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Hazelwood, NC.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
409 ft·20 sec·Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn left onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi·2 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the left lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
84 ft·1 sec·Cabarrus Avenue West
4
Continue on Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi·1 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 29
6.7 mi·10 min·Concord Parkway South
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 29
1.0 mi·1 min·North Tryon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 485 Outer NorthUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 485
0.5 mi·29 sec·Governor James G Martin Freeway
9
Continue on I 485
7.9 mi·8 min·H Allen Tate Jr Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 485
10 mi·11 min·Craig Lawing Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 9-10Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 85 South: Gastonia, SpartanburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 85
19 mi·23 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 10BToward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, ShelbyUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi·8 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
17
Continue on US 74
12 mi·17 min·East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp onto US 74
16 mi·17 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 74
18 mi·19 min·Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
20
Merge onto I 26; US 74
34 mi·41 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward Asheville
21
Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck
18 mi·23 min·US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville
22
Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck
8.9 mi·11 min·US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward West Waynesville
24
Enter roundabout onto US 23 Business
241 ft·4 sec·Hyatt Creek Road
25
Continue on US 23 Business
0.2 mi·29 sec·Hyatt Creek Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto US 23 Business
0.4 mi·46 sec·South Main Street
27
Turn sharp right onto Allens Creek Road
43 ft·1 sec·Allens Creek Road
28
Arrive at destination
Allens Creek Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.8 miles from Concord, NC, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.1 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hazelwood, 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 167.6 miles and 3h 27m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 36.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Concord, NC
· 1h 46m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.8 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hazelwood, NC
The final approach into Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 167.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.21 one way
$52.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.66
$57.31
premium
$4.70
$31.02
$62.04
diesel
$5.61
$37.00
$74.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.46
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 data refreshed 5 days ago
Origin
Concord, NC
Night
in Concord on Tuesday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hazelwood, NC
Night
in Hazelwood on Tuesday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Boiling Springs, NC
84 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
7 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
3h 27m 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 Hazelwood, NC covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, US 74, I 85. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.8 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 $26.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 167.6 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 9.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Concord, NC and Hazelwood, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Shelby, Asheville, Knoxville, Waynesville and Maggie Valley - among others.
