Origin
Graham, NC
Late night in Graham on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Graham, NC to Concord, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
92.8 mi
149 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Graham, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 92.8-mile drive from Graham, North Carolina, to Concord, North Carolina, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 46 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, this route is primarily highway-focused, with 96% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-85 and I-40. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $15 for this journey. The drive is contained within the Southeast region, offering a consistent experience as you travel south. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal route for a quick relocation or a short, focused trip without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.4 miles from Graham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with a substantial 96% of the 92.8 miles spent on major interstates. You'll encounter stretches like the 60.2-mile segment on I-85, which means extended periods of consistent speed and straightforward navigation. While I-40 and Sam Hunt Freeway also contribute to the highway profile, the overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. This route prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, making it a practical choice for those who prefer to cover distance quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 60.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Sam Hunt Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 92.8 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 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
16 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
23.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 29
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
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
8
89.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 601
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord...
8
89.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 601
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
Use the left lane.
Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downt...
7
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
Spring Street Southwest
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 60.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| I 40 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| US 29 | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| Church Street North | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| US 601 | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Cabarrus Avenue West | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 60.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Graham, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on NC 87
61 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southwest Court Square
2
Turn right onto NC 87
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
4
Merge onto I 40; I 85
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 601
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 601
Exit 58
Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 601
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 601
Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downtown
Use the left lane.
10
Turn straight onto Church Street North
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Church Street North
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft
·
11 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 46 minute, 92.8-mile trip, planning is minimal, offering you flexibility. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic on I-85 as you approach Concord. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before departing Graham, as there are no designated stops in the provided data, and the longest stretch is over 60 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment on I-85, to ensure a smooth arrival.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.4 miles from Graham, NC, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.4 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
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 Graham, 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 Graham, NC
This is one driving day of about 92.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Graham, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 60.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.4 mi from Graham, NC · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.4 miles from Graham, 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 60.2 miles.
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
$14.51 one way
$29.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.87 | $31.73 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.18 | $34.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.49 | $40.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.74 | $4.45 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.12 | $3.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.99 | $5.94 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night in Concord on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 46m 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 Graham, NC to Concord, NC covers 92.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, Sam Hunt Freeway, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.4 miles from Graham, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.51 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 92.8 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 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Graham, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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