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Trip from Concord, NC to Liberty, NC

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

265.9 mi

428 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 27m ★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Concord, NC, NC

Concord, NC

C k

Downtown Liberty, NC, NC

Liberty, NC

R9 Media Photo Collective

Trip Overview

The drive from Concord, NC to Liberty, NC covers 265.9 miles and takes about 5h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 74, Andrew Jackson Highway, US 19 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.4 miles on US 74. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.55 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

133 miles from Concord, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Concord, NC to Liberty, NC covers 265.9 miles and takes about 5h 40m, 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 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 74 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.4 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 Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 265.9 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 16 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 Along This Route

Between Concord, NC and Liberty, 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
US 74 40.4 mi 52m
Andrew Jackson Highway 36.1 mi 43m
US 19 34 mi 45m
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 21.9 mi 26m
I 85 19.1 mi 23m
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway 18.3 mi 19m
West Dixon Boulevard 15.7 mi 17m
Highway 294 12.7 mi 21m
Longest stretch: US 74 — 40.4 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Liberty, NC.

1

Start on Spring Street Southwest

410 ft · 20 sec · Spring Street Southwest
2

Turn left onto Cabarrus Avenue West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
3

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cabarrus Avenue West

85 ft · 2 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West
4

Exit the roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West

1.0 mi · 1 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
5

Turn left onto Concord Parkway South

6.7 mi · 10 min · Concord Parkway South
6

Continue on North Tryon Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Tryon Street
7

Take the ramp right toward I 485 Outer North

0.3 mi · 38 sec · I 485 Outer North
8

Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway

0.5 mi · 30 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway
9

Continue on H Allen Tate Jr Highway

7.9 mi · 8 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway
10

Continue on Craig Lawing Freeway

10 mi · 11 min · Craig Lawing Freeway
11

Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard

0.4 mi · 56 sec · I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard
12

Keep slight right to continue on I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
13

Merge slight left

19 mi · 23 min
14

Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby

0.6 mi · 50 sec · US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
15

Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

7.6 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
16

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
17

Continue on East Dixon Boulevard

12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
18

Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard

16 mi · 17 min · West Dixon Boulevard
19

Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

18 mi · 19 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
20

Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

34 mi · 41 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
21

Take the exit slight left toward I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville

18 mi · 23 min · I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville
22

Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta

22 mi · 29 min · US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
23

Keep slight left to continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway

22 mi · 26 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
24

Continue on Appalachian Highway

5.3 mi · 6 min · Appalachian Highway
25

Continue on West Highway 19

4.0 mi · 4 min · West Highway 19
26

Turn right

34 mi · 45 min
27

Continue on West US 64

8.0 mi · 12 min · West US 64
28

Take the exit slight right

190 ft · 4 sec
29

Turn straight onto Highway 294

13 mi · 21 min · Highway 294
30

Arrive at your destination

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 133 miles from Concord, NC, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.4 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 133 miles or 2h 43m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Liberty, 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 265.9 miles and 5h 40m.

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 US 74 for about 40.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 133 mi from Concord, NC · 2h 43m into the drive

Downtown Bent Creek, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bent Creek, NC

133 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

Boiling Springs, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bent Creek, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Liberty, NC

The final approach into Liberty, 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 Liberty, 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

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...

15 mi from route ~36 min detour Free near mile 201.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.55 one way

$85.11 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $46.37 $92.73
premium $4.78 $50.02 $100.04
diesel $5.64 $59.07 $118.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.8 0 $27.92 $12.76
Efficient EV 66.5 0 $23.27 $10.64
EV Truck/SUV 106.4 1 $37.23 $17.02

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Concord, NC

Late night in Concord on Monday

Local time

5:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Liberty, NC

Late night in Liberty on Monday

Local time

5:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

56°F

Bent Creek, NC

133 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

14 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

5h 40m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Liberty, NC covers 265.9 miles and takes about 5h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 74, Andrew Jackson Highway, US 19. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133 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 $42.55 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 265.9 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 Liberty, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Shelby, Asheville, Knoxville, Waynesville and Maggie Valley - among others.

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