Origin
Concord, NC
Morning in Concord on Saturday
Local time
9:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Concord, NC to Wilsons Mills, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
141.2 mi
227 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Wilsons Mills, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Concord, NC to Wilsons Mills, NC covers 141.2 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NC 49, Jordan Road, Triangle Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.1 miles on NC 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.08 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
70.6 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 141.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 9m highway drive covering 141.2 miles, with most of the trip on NC 49 and Jordan Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 41.1 miles on NC 49.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NC 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 49 and Jordan Road. 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 Corban Avenue Southwest.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 141.2 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 (Corban Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (NC 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Corban Avenue Southwest
Turn left onto Corban Avenue Southwest
Navigation decision point
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
NC 49
Merge onto NC 49
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
84.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
105.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward NC 540 Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NC 540 Toll South
5
128 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 42 East: Smithfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NC 49 | 41.1 mi | 54m |
| Jordan Road | 24.3 mi | 35m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| US 64 | 21 mi | 27m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| Richard K. Pugh Highway | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| Corban Avenue Southeast | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| NC 73 | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
NC 49
— 41.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Wilsons Mills, NC.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn left onto Corban Avenue Southwest
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Corban Avenue Southwest
3
Continue on NC 73
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on NC 73
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
NC 73
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
6
Merge onto NC 49
41 mi
·
53 min
·
NC 49
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NC 49
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
NC 49
8
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
West Dixie Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Richard K. Pugh Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 64; NC 49
24 mi
·
35 min
·
Jordan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield
16
Merge onto I 42
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
17
Continue on US 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 70
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
19
Turn slight left onto Swift Creek Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Swift Creek Road
20
Turn right onto Wilson's Mills Road
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Wilson's Mills Road
21
Turn left onto Fire Department Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Fire Department Road
22
Arrive at destination
Fire Department 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 70.6 miles from Concord, NC, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.1 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilsons Mills, 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 141.2 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 NC 49 for about 41.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.6 mi from Concord, NC · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.6 miles from Concord, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wilsons Mills, NC
The final approach into Wilsons Mills, 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 Wilsons Mills, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.08 one way
$44.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $24.14 | $48.29 |
| premium | $4.70 | $26.13 | $52.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.18 | $62.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.83 | $6.78 |
| Efficient EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.35 | $5.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.77 | $9.04 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (65% 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
Wilsons Mills, NC
Morning in Wilsons Mills on Saturday
Local time
9:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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 9m 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 Wilsons Mills, NC covers 141.2 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NC 49, Jordan Road, Triangle Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.6 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 $22.08 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 13 significant decision points across 141.2 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 (Corban Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (NC 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Concord, NC to Wilsons Mills, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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