Embark on a 206.8-mile journey from Wrightsville Beach, NC, to Concord, NC, a trip that will take approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes. This single-day drive is easily manageable, fitting comfortably within a recommended one-day itinerary. You'll navigate primarily on roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with NC 742 also playing a role. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $32, making it an economical option. This drive takes you entirely within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travel.
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
103.4 miles from Wrightsville Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 206.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 32% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 93 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, providing a substantial period of consistent travel. The roads will transition, offering variety as you move from coastal proximity towards inland destinations. Expect a blend of faster-paced segments and more local road conditions as you progress.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 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 93 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 12.4 miles in near US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 206.8 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 12.4 miles (US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.4 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.9 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
12.4 mi into trip|~20m in|US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East
Merge onto US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
206 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
206.7 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|Spring Street Southwest
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
93 mi
1h 53m
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
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
5.3 mi
7m
Eastwood Road
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 93 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wrightsville Beach, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on US 76
1.1 mi·2 min·Causeway Drive
2
Continue on US 74; US 76
0.2 mi·30 sec·Wrightsville Avenue
3
Continue on US 74; US 76
3.5 mi·6 min·Eastwood Road
4
Continue on US 74
5.3 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 74; NC 133
0.7 mi·1 min·US 74; NC 133
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 74; US 421; NC 133
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; NC 133
0.5 mi·1 min·US 74; NC 133
8
Merge onto US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133
2.1 mi·2 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74; US 76
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
11
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
16
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi·24 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
17
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 52; NC 742
18
Continue on NC 742
25 mi·35 min·NC 742
19
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi·3 min·NC 205
20
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto US 601
9.6 mi·10 min·US 601
22
Take the exit onto Union Street South
0.6 mi·58 sec·Union Street South
23
Continue on NC 3
2.3 mi·3 min·Branchview Drive Southeast
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto NC 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
26
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
27
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 23-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Wrightsville Beach will allow ample time to reach Concord without feeling rushed. While the drive is manageable in one day, remember the longest continuous stretch is 93 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, so plan for a stretch break around the midpoint. With a fuel cost of approximately $32, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially before heading into less populated areas. This route is flexible, allowing you to depart at your convenience.
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 103.4 miles from Wrightsville Beach, NC, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.4 miles or 2h 8m 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 30m
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 Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 206.8 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Wrightsville 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.4 mi from Wrightsville Beach, NC
· 2h 8m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 28.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.34 one way
$64.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.36
$70.72
premium
$4.70
$38.27
$76.55
diesel
$5.61
$45.66
$91.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.71
$9.93
Efficient EV
51.7
0
$18.10
$8.27
EV Truck/SUV
82.7
1
$28.95
$13.24
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Morning
in Wrightsville Beach on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Morning
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Rockingham, NC
103 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m 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 Wrightsville Beach, NC to Concord, NC covers 206.8 miles and takes about 4h 23m 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 103.4 miles from Wrightsville Beach, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.34 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 206.8 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 12.4 miles (US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.4 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.9 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wrightsville Beach, NC to Concord, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Moores Creek National Battlefield.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
