Origin
Edenton, NC
Afternoon in Edenton on Thursday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 26m
Distance
278.2 mi
448 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
17 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edenton, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Edenton, NC to Concord, NC covers 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 85, US 13, Ocean Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.6 miles on I 85. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.50 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
139.1 miles from Edenton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 278.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 5h 26m highway drive covering 278.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 85 and US 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.6 miles on I 85.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121.9 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 278.2 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 121.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 209 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.6 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 601 toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 601 toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 102.6 mi | 1h 53m |
| US 13 | 56.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Ocean Highway | 35.2 mi | 44m |
| US 64 Bypass | 27.8 mi | 29m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| South Miami Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| I 40 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| US 29 | 5.4 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Edenton, NC and Concord, NC.
Start on Court Street
Turn left onto East Queen Street
Turn right onto US 17 Business
Turn left onto West Albemarle Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 17
Continue on US 13; US 64
Continue on US 64 Bypass
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
Turn right onto Horton Road
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 540
Take the exit
Merge onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
Take the exit onto US 601
Keep slight left at fork onto US 601
Turn straight onto Church Street North
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
Arrive at destination
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.
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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Edenton, 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 Edenton, NC
This is one driving day of about 278.2 miles and 5h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.1 mi from Edenton, NC · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.1 miles from Edenton, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$43.50 one way
$87.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $47.57 | $95.14 |
| premium | $4.70 | $51.49 | $102.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.42 | $122.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
17 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Mebane, North Carolina
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Mebane, North Carolina
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
1 DCFC
Universal Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Mebane, North Carolina
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Haw River, North Carolina
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.21 | $13.35 |
| Efficient EV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.34 | $11.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.3 | 1 | $38.95 | $17.80 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Edenton on Thursday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Concord on Thursday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Edenton, NC or browse trips ending in Concord, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Edenton, NC or Concord, NC on MapSof.net.