Cape Carteret to Concord is 260.2 miles and takes about 5 hours 34 minutes via US 64, US 17, and NC 49, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Southeast region of North Carolina, taking you from the coast inland towards the Charlotte metropolitan area. The drive is predominantly on highways, making it a relatively straightforward trip for a single day. You'll want to be prepared for a good amount of time behind the wheel, but it's a manageable distance for most drivers to complete 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
130.1 miles from Cape Carteret, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
50.8 mi
1h 10m
US 17
43.6 mi
49m
NC 49
40.7 mi
53m
US 70
23.2 mi
29m
Triangle Expressway
21.4 mi
22m
Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi
21m
NC 58
18.4 mi
26m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 50.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Carteret, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on NC 24
0.4 mi·1 min·WB McLean Drive
2
Turn right onto NC 58
18 mi·26 min·NC 58
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto US 17 Business; NC 58
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto US 17; NC 58
17 mi·19 min·US 17; NC 58
Use the straight lane.
5
Merge onto US 17; US 70
27 mi·29 min·US 17; US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.1 mi·1 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
11
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
15
Continue on I 42
9.4 mi·10 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 318Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll West
18
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
21 mi·22 min·Triangle Expressway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto US 64
51 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
23
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.
24
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
3.5 mi·6 min·East Dixie Drive
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn slight right
312 ft·11 sec
26
Turn slight right onto Brookway Road
314 ft·12 sec·Brookway Road
27
Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road
0.3 mi·23 sec·Albemarle Road
28
Continue on NC 49
9.9 mi·13 min·NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on NC 49
31 mi·39 min·NC 49
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
31
Turn right onto NC 73
7.5 mi·11 min·NC 73
32
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
33
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
34
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 34 minute estimated drive time, leaving Cape Carteret in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Concord with daylight to spare. The route is mostly highway, so you can plan for a consistent pace, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 50.8 miles on US 64 where you'll be on one road for a significant period. Consider a brief stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary, as the estimated fuel cost is around $40. While it's a feasible single-day trip, the flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time slightly based on weather or personal preference.
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 130.1 miles from Cape Carteret, NC, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.8 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 57 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 38m 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 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 Cape Carteret, 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 Cape Carteret, NC
This is one driving day of about 260.2 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Cape Carteret, 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 64 for about 50.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 205.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|NC 58
Turn right onto NC 58
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
18.8 mi into trip|~27m in|US 17 Business; NC 58 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 17 Business; NC 58 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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.
8
154.6 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59B
Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
8
205.7 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Ashebo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.42 one way
$76.83 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.22
$84.43
premium
$4.49
$46.02
$92.03
diesel
$4.80
$49.13
$98.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.1
0
$27.32
$12.49
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.77
$10.41
EV Truck/SUV
104.1
1
$36.43
$16.65
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cape Carteret, NC
Morning
in Cape Carteret on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Concord, NC
Morning
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
3 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 34m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 83% of the total mileage on paved roads designed for higher speeds. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch without a major road change for 50.8 miles on US 64. Expect to spend the majority of your time on these main arteries before transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. The route features a significant amount of highway driving, which means you'll likely notice a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits for towns along the way.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.8 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and US 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near NC 58.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 260.2 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 0.4 miles (NC 58): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles (US 17 Business; NC 58 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.8 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
684 ft19 ft
Total Climb
909 ft
Total Descent
244 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
~260.2 mi in
Elevation Range
665 ft
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 Cape Carteret, NC to Concord, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Pittsboro along the way.
Cape Carteret is a town of 2,224 people (2020) in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina. Like Newport, it's mainly a residential community, even though it's right on the water and boasts some very nice views of the sound. Basically, you're not likely to stay here or to eat here, or really even to do very much here, but there's a good chance you might be passing through.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 260.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.8 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (NC 58): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles (US 17 Business; NC 58 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.8 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
