Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse
Near the start, right off the route
Concord, North Carolina
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
Visit websiteCompiled 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Gorman, NC
Mark Stebnicki
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Gorman, NC.
Start on Spring Street Southwest
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Turn left onto NC 73
Merge onto US 29; US 601
Take the exit onto US 601
Continue on I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
Continue on I 85; US 15; US 70; US 501
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 15
Take the exit
Turn slight left
Turn right onto East Club Boulevard
Turn left onto East Geer Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Coffee Stop
Concord, North Carolina
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
Mattie Ruth's Coffee House
Concord, North Carolina
The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Near the start, right off the route
Concord, North Carolina
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Concord, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Concord, North Carolina
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+17049604013
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kannapolis, North Carolina
Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm
+17043039008
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Concord, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17049604163
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kannapolis, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17049251740
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
China Grove, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17048591844
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Salisbury, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+19802480633
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Mebane, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Mebane, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Mebane, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Later in the drive, short detour
Graham, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Burlington, North Carolina
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Burlington, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13365840201
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Mebane, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Graham, North Carolina
+13132626722
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19197321270
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Graham, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13362287997
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Greensboro, North Carolina
+13368529721
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Salisbury, North Carolina
+17046370511
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Durham, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19192205429
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Kannapolis, North Carolina
+17049388512
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Archdale, North Carolina
+13364311700
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Kannapolis, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+17049342320
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$19.78 one way
$39.56 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Concord on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Gorman on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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).
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.
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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