Skip to main content

Trip from Concord, NC to Gorman, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 27m

Distance

126.5 mi

204 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 18m ★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Concord, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Gorman, NC, NC

Gorman, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 126.5-mile journey from Concord, NC to Gorman, NC, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 97% of the drive being on interstates, making it a straightforward trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, which is quite budget-friendly for a drive of this distance. Since both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you won't be crossing state lines or experiencing dramatic regional shifts. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

63.3 miles from Concord, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 53.6 mi 59m
I 40 36.8 mi 42m
US 601 25.3 mi 28m
US 29 5.9 mi 6m
Church Street Northeast 2.2 mi 4m
East Geer Street 1.5 mi 2m
Concord Parkway North 0.6 mi 1m
East Club Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 53.6 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Gorman, 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

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck

9.4 mi · 10 min · I 85; NC 86 Truck
Toward I 85 North: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 85; US 15; US 70; US 501

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 85; US 15; US 70; US 501
Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 85; US 15
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward East Club, Durha
15

Turn slight left

70 ft · 5 sec
16

Turn right onto East Club Boulevard

0.3 mi · 37 sec · East Club Boulevard
17

Turn left onto East Geer Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Geer Street
Use the left lane.
18

Arrive at destination

East Geer Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 27-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you can depart when it’s most convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is only $20, it’s always wise to top off before leaving Concord to ensure you have ample range. The 53.6-mile stretch on I-85 is the longest continuous segment, so plan your breaks before or after this part of the drive.

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 63.3 miles from Concord, NC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.6 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 28 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.3 miles or 1h 12m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gorman, 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.

+

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 Concord, NC

This is one driving day of about 126.5 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 53.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greensboro, NC

63 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.

Popular next leg

Greensboro, NC to Gorman, NC

57.3 mi · 1h 12m

Pacing Suggestions

Clinton, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Archdale, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.3 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

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 of Concord

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

1.8 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 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

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+17043039008

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17049251740

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9

China Grove, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17048591844

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 18.1

Salisbury, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19802480633

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 99.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 99.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 99.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 90.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 90.4

Burlington, North Carolina

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 90.4

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 99.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 90.4

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 108.4

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 90.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 63.3

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 18.1

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 117.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 54.2

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+17049342320

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 107.6 — 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
7
107.6 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 85; NC 86 Truck

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck toward I 85 North: Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 North: Durham

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.78 one way

$39.56 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $21.63 $43.26
premium $4.70 $23.41 $46.82
diesel $5.61 $27.93 $55.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.9 0 $13.28 $6.07
Efficient EV 31.6 0 $11.07 $5.06
EV Truck/SUV 50.6 0 $17.71 $8.10

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 15, 2026

Origin

Concord, NC

Late night in Concord on Sunday

Local time

2:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gorman, NC

Late night in Gorman on Sunday

Local time

2:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

9 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

2h 27m 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 highly focused highway experience for this 126.5-mile trip, with almost the entire 97% of the drive taking place on interstates like I-85 and I-40, supplemented by US-601. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.6 miles on I-85, so be prepared for sustained periods of highway driving. This route doesn't typically involve winding country roads or significant changes in terrain, maintaining a consistent pace for the majority of the 2-hour and 27-minute duration. It’s a functional drive built for covering distance efficiently.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.6 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and I 40. 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 126.5 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 (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 Gorman, 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 2h 27m. Total distance: 126.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 53.6 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 Gorman, 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. 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 (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 Gorman, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Concord, NC or browse trips ending in Gorman, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.