This 186.8-mile drive from Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to Concord, North Carolina, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes. The route primarily utilizes SC 9 and NC 742, with a 55% share of highway driving, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, this trip is budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region, staying within North Carolina for the entire journey. This drive is straightforward, making it a convenient option when you want to reach your destination without an overnight stop.
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
93.4 miles from Sunset Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 186.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed driving profile, with a 55% highway share meaning you'll experience both faster stretches and more local road segments. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 37.4 miles on SC 9, which will give you a good feel for the road's character in that section. As you progress, expect the road conditions to vary, transitioning between quicker highway sections and potentially slower local roads as you approach Concord. This blend ensures the drive isn't monotonous but requires attention to changing speed limits and road types.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SC 9 is the longest continuous segment at about 37.4 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 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in.
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 186.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.9 miles (SC 9 / Highway 9 East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.5 miles (US 74 / East Caswell Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
10.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward SC 31, Loris, Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 31, Loris, Myrtle Beach
5
10.9 mi into trip|~19m in|SC 9 / Highway 9 East
Merge onto SC 9 / Highway 9 East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|US 74 / East Caswell Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 74 / East Caswell Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
185.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
186.7 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|Spring Street Southwest
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sunset Beach, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Loris and Myrtle Beach.
Loris
10.6 mi in|~19m
Myrtle Beach
10.6 mi in|~19m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SC 9
37.4 mi
45m
Radford Boulevard
25.8 mi
31m
NC 742
24.9 mi
35m
2nd Street
20.8 mi
23m
Highway 9 East
13.9 mi
19m
Dillon Highway
12.5 mi
18m
US 601
9.6 mi
10m
NC 24
8.7 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
SC 9
— 37.4 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunset Beach, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Sunset Boulevard South
0.4 mi·46 sec·Sunset Boulevard South
2
Enter roundabout onto NC 179 Business
23 ft·0 sec·Sunset Boulevard North
3
Continue on NC 179 Business
0.1 mi·11 sec·Sunset Boulevard North
4
Turn right onto NC 179 Business
1.8 mi·3 min·Shoreline Drive West
5
Continue on NC 179 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Beach Drive Southwest
6
Continue on NC 179
2.1 mi·3 min·Beach Drive Southwest
7
Continue on SC 179
0.7 mi·1 min·SC 179
8
Turn left onto US 17
3.8 mi·6 min·US Highway 17
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward SC 31, Loris, Myrtle Beach
10
Merge onto SC 9
14 mi·19 min·Highway 9 East
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn straight onto SC 9
24 mi·30 min·SC 9
12
Merge onto US 76
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 76
13
Continue on US 76; SC 9
0.5 mi·1 min·South Nichols Street
14
Take the exit
195 ft·7 sec
15
Turn straight onto SC 9
8.2 mi·13 min·South Main Street
16
Turn left onto SC 9
0.9 mi·1 min·West 3rd Avenue
17
Continue on SC 9
12 mi·18 min·Dillon Highway
18
Turn right onto US 301; US 501; SC 9
0.9 mi·1 min·US Highway 301 North
19
Turn left onto SC 9
26 mi·31 min·Radford Boulevard
20
Turn right onto SC 9; SC 38
2.3 mi·2 min·Cottingham Boulevard South
21
Turn left onto SC 9
13 mi·14 min·SC 9
22
Turn right onto US 52 Truck; SC 9 Truck
0.3 mi·22 sec·Front Street
23
Continue on US 52; SC 9 Truck
21 mi·23 min·2nd Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 74
1.3 mi·3 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
26
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi·24 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
27
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 52; NC 742
28
Continue on NC 742
25 mi·35 min·NC 742
29
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi·3 min·NC 205
30
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto US 601
9.6 mi·10 min·US 601
32
Take the exit onto Union Street South
0.6 mi·58 sec·Union Street South
33
Continue on NC 3
2.3 mi·3 min·Branchview Drive Southeast
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn left onto NC 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
36
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
37
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 14-minute duration, starting your drive from Sunset Beach in the morning will allow you to reach Concord with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along SC 9, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 37.4-mile longest stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $29 is quite manageable, but it's always wise to ensure your tank is full before departing to avoid any unexpected fuel stops. Pay attention to the transition between South Carolina and North Carolina roads as you move between SC 9 and Radford Boulevard.
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 93.4 miles from Sunset Beach, NC, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.4 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 41 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 26m
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 Sunset Beach, 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 Sunset Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 186.8 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Sunset Beach, 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 SC 9 for about 37.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.4 mi from Sunset Beach, NC
· 2h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.21 one way
$58.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.94
$63.88
premium
$4.70
$34.57
$69.15
diesel
$5.61
$41.24
$82.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Calabash, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Wadesboro, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Circle K Charging Station
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
FLO Charging Station
Longs, South Carolina
FLO
1 DCFC
Rivian Waypoints
Dillon, South Carolina
Rivian
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 4
Other: 1
FLO: 1
Rivian: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56
0
$19.61
$8.97
Efficient EV
46.7
0
$16.35
$7.47
EV Truck/SUV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.96
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 18, 2026
Origin
Sunset Beach, NC
Late night
in Sunset Beach on Saturday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
7 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
4h 14m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Sunset Beach, NC to Concord, NC covers 186.8 miles and takes about 4h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SC 9, Radford Boulevard, NC 742. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.4 miles from Sunset Beach, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.21 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.9 miles (SC 9 / Highway 9 East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.5 miles (US 74 / East Caswell Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Sunset Beach, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Loris and Myrtle Beach.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
