If you are planning a quick excursion from Concord to Forest City, you can expect an efficient trip covering 85 miles. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. You will primarily utilize I-85 before transitioning onto West and East Dixon Boulevard to reach your destination. With a fuel budget of approximately $14, this route is quite cost-effective for a weekend getaway or a short business trip. Because the total duration is under two hours, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you total flexibility in your scheduling. Both cities remain firmly within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent climate and travel experience from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 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
19.1 mi
23m
West Dixon Boulevard
12.2 mi
14m
East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi
17m
Craig Lawing Freeway
10.3 mi
11m
H Allen Tate Jr Highway
7.9 mi
8m
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Concord Parkway South
6.7 mi
10m
Cabarrus Avenue West
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 19.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Forest City, NC.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
409 ft·20 sec·Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn left onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi·2 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the left lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
84 ft·1 sec·Cabarrus Avenue West
4
Continue on Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi·1 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 29
6.7 mi·10 min·Concord Parkway South
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 29
1.0 mi·1 min·North Tryon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 485 Outer NorthUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 485
0.5 mi·29 sec·Governor James G Martin Freeway
9
Continue on I 485
7.9 mi·8 min·H Allen Tate Jr Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 485
10 mi·11 min·Craig Lawing Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 9-10Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 85 South: Gastonia, SpartanburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 85
19 mi·23 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 10BToward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, ShelbyUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi·8 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
17
Continue on US 74
12 mi·17 min·East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 182Toward US 221 ALT: Forest CityUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto US 221A
1.2 mi·2 min·South Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi·45 sec·East Main Street
22
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft·1 sec·Cherry Mountain Street
23
Arrive at destination
Cherry Mountain Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart at your convenience without needing an elaborate itinerary. Since the entire drive is roughly 110 minutes, you can easily complete the journey without planning for formal rest stops, though it is always wise to account for potential traffic near the larger interstate junctions. Budgeting $14 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside for local travel once you arrive in Forest City is a smart move. Focus your attention on the transition points between I-85 and the Dixon Boulevard sections, as these require the most navigational focus. By keeping your pace steady during the 19.1-mile highway stretch, you will find the remainder of the drive straightforward and manageable.
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 42.5 miles from Concord, NC, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest City, 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 85 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 19.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 83.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 485 Outer North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 485 Outer North
8
28.8 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard
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 9-10
Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanb...
9
29.2 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
8
49.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
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 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
7
83.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.29 one way
$26.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.53
$29.07
premium
$4.70
$15.73
$31.46
diesel
$5.61
$18.77
$37.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.44
$3.40
EV Truck/SUV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 12, 2026
Origin
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 11 at 7:52PM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Forest City, NC
Late night
in Forest City on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 11 at 7:52PM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
56°F
Belmont, NC
43 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
1 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 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from high-speed interstate travel to more localized commuting. Highway driving accounts for 43% of your total mileage, providing a steady pace during the initial segments of your trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during a 19.1-mile run on I-85, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the road shifts significantly as you navigate the transition onto Dixon Boulevard. This combination of highway efficiency and local road navigation creates a varied rhythm behind the wheel, requiring you to stay alert as you move away from the major corridors.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.1 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 9.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85 miles you will encounter 15 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 9.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
726 ft643 ft
Total Climb
161 ft
Total Descent
119 ft
Highest Point
726 ft
~39 mi in
Elevation Range
84 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concord, NC and Forest City, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg and Shelby.
Spartanburg
28.8 mi in|~36m
Shelby
49.2 mi in|~1h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 85 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.1 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 Forest City, 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 9.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: 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 Forest City, NC before heading back.
