Origin
Dana, NC
Afternoon in Dana on Thursday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dana, NC to Concord, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 31m
Distance
120.3 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dana, NC
C k
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Dana, NC to Concord, NC covers 120.3 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cameron Morrison Bridge, Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway, Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.4 miles on Cameron Morrison Bridge. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.81 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
60.2 miles from Dana, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 120.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 31m drive with frequent turns across 120.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cameron Morrison Bridge is the longest continuous segment at about 18.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.6 miles in near US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 120.3 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 16.6 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.1 miles (US 74 / West Dixon Boulevard): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
16.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
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 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
7
16.9 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
5
50.1 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 74 / West Dixon Boulevard
Take the exit onto US 74 / West Dixon Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
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: Gastonia, Charlotte
7
108.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dana, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Mallard Creek Church Road East.
Rutherfordton
16.6 mi in
|
~22m
|
via US 74
Spartanburg
71.2 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Charlotte
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Mallard Creek Church Road East
108.2 mi in
|
~2h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| James A. Callahan Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 14.4 mi | 17m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Concord Parkway South | 6.7 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Cameron Morrison Bridge
— 18.4 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dana, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Ridge Road
46 ft
·
0 sec
·
Ridge Road
2
Continue on Upward Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Upward Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
4
Merge onto I 26; US 74; US 25
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
8
Continue on US 74
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
17 min
·
James A. Callahan Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
12
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 85
18 mi
·
22 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Mallard Creek Church Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 29
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Tryon Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 29
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Concord Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the right lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
156 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
23
Continue on Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
24
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft
·
11 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.2 miles from Dana, NC, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.4 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 13m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dana, 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 Dana, NC
This is one driving day of about 120.3 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Dana, 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 Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 18.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.2 mi from Dana, NC · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.2 miles from Dana, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Concord, NC
The final approach into Concord, 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 Concord, 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
$18.81 one way
$37.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.57 | $41.14 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.26 | $44.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.56 | $53.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.63 | $5.77 |
| Efficient EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.53 | $4.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.84 | $7.70 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Concord, NC
Afternoon in Concord on Thursday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
5 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
2h 31m 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 Dana, NC to Concord, NC covers 120.3 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cameron Morrison Bridge, Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway, Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.2 miles from Dana, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.81 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.
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 15 significant decision points across 120.3 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 16.6 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.1 miles (US 74 / West Dixon Boulevard): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dana, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Mallard Creek Church Road East.
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