Haywood County US 74 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Andrews, NC to Concord, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 47m
Distance
228.2 mi
367 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 34m
★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Andrews, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Andrews, NC to Concord, NC is 228.2 miles and takes about 4h 47m via US 19 and US 74, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With a mixed highway and surface road profile, expect a varied driving experience. It's a feasible one-day trip, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
114.1 miles from Andrews, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 19 | 59.4 mi | 1h 15m |
| US 74 | 41.3 mi | 51m |
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| James A. Callahan Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 13.8 mi | 16m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 12.4 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
US 19
— 59.4 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,222 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~638 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andrews, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Cherry Street
72 ft
·
10 sec
·
Cherry Street
2
Turn left onto US 19 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 19 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Business 19
4
Take the ramp onto US 19 Business
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Business 19
Toward Bryson City
5
Merge onto US 19; US 74; US 129
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
US 19; US 74; US 129
6
Continue on US 19; US 74
9.9 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 19
7
Turn left onto US 19; US 74
52 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 19; US 74
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck
18 mi
·
23 min
·
US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
9
Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck
23 mi
·
27 min
·
US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
13
Continue on US 74
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
14
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
17 min
·
James A. Callahan Highway
15
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
17
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 85
18 mi
·
22 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Mallard Creek Church Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto US 29
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Tryon Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 29
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Concord Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the right lane.
27
Enter roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
156 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
28
Continue on Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
29
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft
·
11 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 47 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Concord well before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, but with 228.2 miles, you'll want to factor in a break for fuel and stretching. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you plan to drive the longest stretch of 59.4 miles on US 19 without stopping. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, which is a helpful budget point. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed.
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 114.1 miles from Andrews, NC, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 50 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.1 miles or 2h 25m 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 52m
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 Andrews, 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 Andrews, NC
This is one driving day of about 228.2 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Andrews, 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 19 for about 59.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.1 miles from Andrews, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Haywood County US 74 Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
1036
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-26 Henderson County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
I-26 Buncombe County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Mountain Energy Truck Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
I-26 East NC Welcome Center
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 71.1 and 216 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
US 74; US 64 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
8
124.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
7
124.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
8
179.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
7
216 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.69 one way
$67.38 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $37.02 | $74.05 |
| premium | $4.49 | $40.36 | $80.71 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.09 | $86.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.96 | $10.95 |
| Efficient EV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.97 | $9.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.3 | 1 | $31.95 | $14.60 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Andrews, NC
Late night in Andrews on Sunday
Local time
2:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 0 to 5 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:05PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:03PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night in Concord on Sunday
Local time
2:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 1 to 9 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:05PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:03PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
82°F
Bent Creek, NC
114 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
10 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 47m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 31.5
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
Park Closure: Temporary Road Closures
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route spends about 51% on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 59.4 miles on US 19 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a mix of driving environments, from potentially faster highway sections to more local roads. The profile is described as mixed highway and surface, suggesting you'll notice a change in road type and potentially traffic patterns as you progress.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.4 mi on US 19.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 71.1 miles in near US 74; US 64 Truck.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 228.2 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 71.1 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 124.4 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.7 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,834 ft
681 ft
Total Climb
1,333 ft
Total Descent
2,428 ft
Highest Point
2,834 ft
~65.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,153 ft
Notable High Points
2,834 ft at ~65.2 miles
+514 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Andrews, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Rutherfordton, Charlotte and Mallard Creek Church Road East.
Spartanburg
89.6 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via US 74; US 64 Truck
Rutherfordton
124.4 mi in
|
~2h 37m
|
via US 74
Charlotte
179.1 mi in
|
~3h 42m
Mallard Creek Church Road East
216 mi in
|
~4h 27m
About the Cities
Arriving in Concord, NC
Full guide →Founded 1796
Concord is a city in North Carolina and fast-growing bedroom community of the major city of Charlotte. In 2020, the population was around 107,000, making it the second largest city of the Charlotte Metro.
Top landmarks
- • Barber–Scotia College — historically black college in Concord, North Carolina
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 228.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.4 miles on US 19. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Concord, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.1 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 124.4 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.7 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Concord, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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