Embark on a straightforward 270-mile journey from Beaufort, North Carolina, to Concord, North Carolina, a drive that typically takes about 5 hours and 50 minutes. With 84% of the route on highways, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budget around $42 for fuel, and anticipate a single planned stop for any necessities. This highway-focused drive connects two points within the Southeast region, offering a practical and efficient way to traverse the state.
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
135.2 miles from Beaufort, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
97.4 mi
2h 5m
US 64
50.8 mi
1h 10m
NC 49
40.7 mi
53m
Triangle Expressway
21.4 mi
22m
Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi
21m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
9.4 mi
10m
NC 73
7.5 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 97.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaufort, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Ann Street
298 ft·12 sec·Ann Street
2
Turn right onto Turner Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Turner Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70
74 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
8
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
12
Continue on I 42
9.4 mi·10 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 318Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll West
15
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
21 mi·22 min·Triangle Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto US 64
51 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49
1.8 mi·2 min·Richard K. Pugh Highway
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
3.5 mi·6 min·East Dixie Drive
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn slight right
312 ft·11 sec
23
Turn slight right onto Brookway Road
314 ft·12 sec·Brookway Road
24
Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road
0.3 mi·23 sec·Albemarle Road
25
Continue on NC 49
9.9 mi·13 min·NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on NC 49
31 mi·39 min·NC 49
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
28
Turn right onto NC 73
7.5 mi·11 min·NC 73
29
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
30
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
31
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 50-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With the longest stretch being nearly 100 miles, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost of $42 is a helpful guide for budgeting. Given it's a manageable distance, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential changes in speed limits as you transition between highway sections and more populated areas, especially on US 70 and US 64.
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 135.2 miles from Beaufort, NC, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 59 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.2 miles or 2h 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 4h 44m
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 Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, NC
This is one driving day of about 270.3 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Beaufort, 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 70 for about 97.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 215.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Turner Street
Turn right onto Turner Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
141.5 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.1
1
$28.38
$12.97
Efficient EV
67.6
0
$23.65
$10.81
EV Truck/SUV
108.1
1
$37.84
$17.30
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Beaufort, NC
Late night
in Beaufort on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with a significant 84% of your travel time spent on main roads like US 70, US 64, and NC 49. You'll encounter one long stretch of 97.4 miles on US 70, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of uninterrupted driving. While primarily highway, expect segments that feel more like traditional driving as you navigate through different parts of North Carolina. The character of the road is geared towards efficiency, making for a consistent pace throughout the journey.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Turner Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 270.3 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Beaufort, NC to Concord, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Pittsboro along the way.
Pittsboro
164.2 mi in|~3h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 270.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.4 miles on US 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Concord, NC before the return drive.
