Origin
Wallace, NC
Evening in Wallace on Wednesday
Local time
7:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
189.8 mi
305 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wallace, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Wallace to Concord covers 189.8 miles across North Carolina, typically taking about 4 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $30 to cover the trip, which keeps costs manageable for a solo traveler or a small group. You will transition from the Southeast region toward the heart of the state, experiencing a straightforward route that relies on a mix of local and state roads. Whether you are heading out for business or a weekend getaway, this drive offers a practical connection between these two points without the complexity of a multi-day expedition.
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
94.9 miles from Wallace, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
This trip features a mixed drive profile, balancing highway travel with local road navigation. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of the Andrew Jackson Highway, NC 742, and Tomahawk Highway to navigate the 189.8-mile distance. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as the route transitions between faster, more direct stretches and slower, more technical sections. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Andrew Jackson Highway, where you can settle in for a 31.8-mile stretch. The road's personality shifts as you move between these distinct thoroughfares, requiring you to remain alert as the driving environment changes.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
123 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
~189.8 mi in
Elevation Range
634 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.7 miles in near NC 41.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 189.8 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 48.7 miles (NC 41): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 71.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto NC 41
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward I 74, US 74: Wilmington, Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 74 West, US 74 West: Rockingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Wallace, NC to Concord, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rockingham along the way.
Rockingham
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 31.8 mi | 38m |
| NC 742 | 24.9 mi | 35m |
| Tomahawk Highway | 19.2 mi | 27m |
| American Indian Highway | 18.5 mi | 19m |
| NC 41 | 16.9 mi | 25m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| East Main Street | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| US 601 | 9.6 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wallace, NC and Concord, NC.
Start on North College Street
Turn right onto NC 41
Continue on NC 41; NC 411
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 41
At end of road, turn left onto US 701; NC 41
Turn right onto NC 41; NC 87 Business
Turn left onto Peanut Road
Turn right onto NC 87
Turn left onto NC 41
Enter roundabout onto NC 41
Continue on NC 41
Turn right onto NC 211
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; US 301
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 74; US 74
Continue on US 74
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
Continue on NC 742
Continue on NC 205
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
Turn right onto US 601
Take the exit onto Union Street South
Continue on NC 3
Turn left onto NC 73
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 13-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle, keeping your $30 fuel budget in mind. Because the route relies heavily on state roads like NC 742 rather than just high-speed interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on the correct path during transitions. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your departure or rest stops based on real-time traffic conditions. Prioritize consistent pacing throughout the 189.8-mile journey to ensure you arrive in Concord feeling refreshed.
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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 2h 7m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Wallace, 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 Wallace, NC
This is one driving day of about 189.8 miles and 4h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.9 mi from Wallace, NC · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 94.9 miles from Wallace, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$29.68 one way
$59.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $32.45 | $64.91 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.13 | $70.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.91 | $83.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.93 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.61 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.57 | $12.15 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Wallace on Wednesday
Local time
7:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Concord on Wednesday
Local time
7:55 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.
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