This 158.7-mile drive from Kenly, NC to Concord, NC is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend about 3 hours and 30 minutes on the road, making it a convenient option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes US 64 and NC 49, with a significant portion on the Triangle Expressway, meaning most of your travel will be on high-speed roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it’s an economical option for getting between these two North Carolina towns. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience.
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
79.4 miles from Kenly, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a road that is predominantly highway, with 88% of the drive being on faster routes. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 50.8 miles on US 64, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The mix of US 64, NC 49, and the Triangle Expressway suggests a character that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. This profile points to a drive where you'll likely experience smooth, consistent travel for most of the 158.7 miles, with limited opportunities for slower, more scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and NC 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 158.7 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 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
29.9 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59A-B
Toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
8
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59B
Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
8
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Ashebo...
6
109.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|Albemarle Road
Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kenly, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Pine Level, Goldsboro and Pittsboro.
Pine Level
11.1 mi in|~13m
Goldsboro
11.1 mi in|~13m
Pittsboro
52.6 mi in|~1h 1m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
50.8 mi
1h 10m
NC 49
40.7 mi
53m
Triangle Expressway
21.4 mi
22m
I 95
10 mi
11m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
9.4 mi
10m
US 70
9 mi
11m
NC 73
7.5 mi
11m
East Dixie Drive
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 50.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenly, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on this road
43 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 301
0.6 mi·1 min·North Church Street
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
4
Merge onto I 95
10 mi·11 min·I 95
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward US 70: Selma, Pine Level, Goldsboro
6
Turn right onto US 70
9.0 mi·11 min·US 70
7
Continue on I 42
9.4 mi·10 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 318Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll West
10
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
21 mi·22 min·Triangle Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 64
51 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49
1.8 mi·2 min·Richard K. Pugh Highway
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
3.5 mi·6 min·East Dixie Drive
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight right
312 ft·11 sec
18
Turn slight right onto Brookway Road
314 ft·12 sec·Brookway Road
19
Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road
0.3 mi·23 sec·Albemarle Road
20
Continue on NC 49
9.9 mi·13 min·NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on NC 49
31 mi·39 min·NC 49
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
23
Turn right onto NC 73
7.5 mi·11 min·NC 73
24
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
25
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
26
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 30-minute duration, this drive is perfect for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Kenly in the morning will allow you to arrive in Concord with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 158.7 miles based on your own needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $25, and plan your refueling accordingly. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of the transition onto the Triangle Expressway, as it's a significant portion of your highway mileage and requires maintaining highway speeds.
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 79.4 miles from Kenly, NC, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.8 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 39m 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 51m
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 Kenly, 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 Kenly, NC
This is one driving day of about 158.7 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Kenly, 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 64 for about 50.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.4 mi from Kenly, NC
· 1h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 79.4 miles from Kenly, 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
$24.82 one way
$49.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.14
$54.27
premium
$4.70
$29.37
$58.74
diesel
$5.61
$35.04
$70.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.6
0
$16.66
$7.62
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
EV Truck/SUV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Kenly, NC
Afternoon
in Kenly on Friday
Local time
12:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Concord, NC
Afternoon
in Concord on Friday
Local time
12:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kenly, NC to Concord, NC covers 158.7 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, NC 49, 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 79.4 miles from Kenly, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.82 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 17 significant decision points across 158.7 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 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Kenly, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Pine Level, Goldsboro and Pittsboro.
