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Trip from Concord, NC to Burlington, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

91.2 mi

147 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in North Carolina, United States

Concord, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in Alamance and Guilford counties, North Carolina, United States

Burlington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 91.2-mile journey from Concord, NC, to Burlington, NC, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 47 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it's perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient relocation between these two North Carolina cities. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for travelers. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing speed and directness. Both Concord and Burlington are located in the Southeast region of the US, offering a consistent regional experience throughout your drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.6 miles from Concord, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 36.6 mi 39m
US 601 25.3 mi 28m
I 40 17.1 mi 19m
US 29 5.9 mi 6m
Church Street Northeast 2.2 mi 4m
South Church Street 1.6 mi 3m
Alamance Road 1.3 mi 2m
Concord Parkway North 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 36.6 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Burlington, NC.

1

Start on Spring Street Southwest

409 ft · 17 sec · Spring Street Southwest
2

Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn left onto NC 73

2.2 mi · 4 min · Church Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto US 29; US 601

0.6 mi · 1 min · Concord Parkway North
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Take the exit onto US 601

25 mi · 28 min · US 601
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

33 mi · 35 min · I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

5.9 mi · 6 min · US 29
Toward US 29, US 70 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

17 mi · 19 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto NC 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · Alamance Road
12

Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Arrive at destination

US 70; NC 62

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this route offers considerable flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, though leaving in the morning will allow for a full day at your destination. There are no mandatory stops suggested, but planning for one brief break around the halfway point, perhaps near the transition from I-85 to US-601, could be beneficial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $14 estimated cost is based on consistent highway speeds; ensure you have enough to reach Burlington without concern, especially before embarking on the 36.6-mile stretch on I-85.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.6 miles from Concord, NC, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 20 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.6 miles or 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Concord, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Concord, NC

This is one driving day of about 91.2 miles and 1h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Concord, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 36.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Davidson and Randolph counties in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thomasville, NC

46 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

Salisbury, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thomasville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.6 miles from Concord, 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.

Best coffee break

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

1.3 mi

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

China Grove, North Carolina

1.6 mi

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

China Grove, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17048591844

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17049604013

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Salisbury, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19802480633

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17049251740

Visit website

Editions - Coffee and Bookstore

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17049251406

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

+13365841115

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

Visit website

SocialEfforts – Triad Electric Vehicle Association

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Glen Raven, North Carolina

+13364074322

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+17049342320

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

Alamance County Historical Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Burlington, NC

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13362268254

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 88 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Cabarrus Avenue West

Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 601

Take the exit onto US 601 toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
8
32.1 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 85

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point

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: Greensboro, High Point
8
64.9 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 29, US 70
8
88 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.26 one way

$28.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.59 $31.19
premium $4.70 $16.88 $33.76
diesel $5.61 $20.14 $40.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.4 0 $9.58 $4.38
Efficient EV 22.8 0 $7.98 $3.65
EV Truck/SUV 36.5 0 $12.77 $5.84

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Concord, NC

Late night in Concord on Tuesday

Local time

4:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burlington, NC

Late night in Burlington on Tuesday

Local time

4:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

20 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

1h 47m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 94% of the route being on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-85, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 36.6 miles. This interstate segment is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly. While the profile is predominantly highway, the transition to US-601 and then I-40 means you'll experience a mix of high-speed travel and slightly more varied highway conditions as you approach your destination.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.6 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 601. 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 Cabarrus Avenue West.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cabarrus Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Concord, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.

High Point

32.1 mi in | ~39m | via I 85

About the Cities

Starting in Concord, NC

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 47m. Total distance: 91.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 36.6 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Burlington, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cabarrus Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burlington, NC before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Burlington, NC to Concord, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

91.5 mi 1h 46m

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