This 168.4-mile journey from Pine Level, NC to Concord, NC will take approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. It's a straightforward trip, primarily using roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with about 35% of the drive on highways. Given its duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $26. You'll be traveling entirely within the Southeast region, staying within North Carolina for the entirety of your drive. This route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a practical choice for a day excursion.
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
84.2 miles from Pine Level, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
You'll experience a mixed drive on this 168.4-mile route, with 35% of your time spent on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 48.7 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a good opportunity for consistent travel. As you progress, the road character shifts between highway speeds and potentially more local road conditions, providing a varied driving experience. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise, nor is it a purely rural, winding path; it's a blend that keeps things interesting behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 48.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near M M Ray Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (M M Ray Road): Navigation decision point; at 90 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.4 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.9 mi into trip|~7m in|M M Ray Road
At end of road, turn right onto M M Ray Road
Navigation decision point
6
90 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
104.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
5
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
168.3 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|Spring Street Southwest
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
48.7 mi
56m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
NC 742
24.9 mi
35m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
US 601
9.6 mi
10m
NC 24
8.7 mi
13m
Seven Creeks Highway
7.8 mi
13m
New Britton Highway East
3.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 48.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Level, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Pine Level Church Road
1.9 mi·7 min·Pine Level Church Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto M M Ray Road
0.6 mi·1 min·M M Ray Road
3
Turn left onto NC 905
7.8 mi·13 min·Seven Creeks Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto NC 130
3.4 mi·6 min·New Britton Highway East
5
Continue on NC 130
1.5 mi·2 min·Vinson Boulevard
6
Continue on NC 130
0.2 mi·28 sec·East Love Mill Road
7
Turn right onto US 701 Bypass; NC 130
1.4 mi·2 min·South J K Powell Boulevard
8
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
0.5 mi·51 sec·South Powell Boulevard
9
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
0.2 mi·17 sec·Jk Powell Boulevard
10
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
1.4 mi·2 min·Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
12
Merge onto US 74; US 76
17 mi·18 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
13
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
14
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306BToward US 74 West: MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
19
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi·24 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
20
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 52; NC 742
21
Continue on NC 742
25 mi·35 min·NC 742
22
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi·3 min·NC 205
23
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto US 601
9.6 mi·10 min·US 601
25
Take the exit onto Union Street South
0.6 mi·58 sec·Union Street South
26
Continue on NC 3
2.3 mi·3 min·Branchview Drive Southeast
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto NC 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
29
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
30
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour and 43 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With a total distance of 168.4 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. There's one suggested stop, but feel free to adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $26, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. A specific tip for this route: be aware that Andrew Jackson Highway is your longest continuous stretch at 48.7 miles, so ensure you're prepared for that segment before setting off.
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 84.2 miles from Pine Level, NC, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 37 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
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 Pine Level, 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 Pine Level, NC
This is one driving day of about 168.4 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Pine Level, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 48.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.2 mi from Pine Level, NC
· 1h 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.33 one way
$52.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.79
$57.59
premium
$4.70
$31.17
$62.33
diesel
$5.61
$37.18
$74.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.74
$6.74
EV Truck/SUV
67.4
0
$23.58
$10.78
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
Pine Level, NC
Afternoon
in Pine Level on Saturday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Afternoon
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Rockingham, NC
84 mi in
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 43m 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 Pine Level, NC to Concord, NC covers 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, NC 742. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.2 miles from Pine Level, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.33 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (M M Ray Road): Navigation decision point; at 90 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.4 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pine Level, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
