Concord, NC to James City, NC is 231 miles and takes about 4h 53m via NC 49, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. It's a manageable drive that offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. With only one recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
115.5 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 49
41.1 mi
54m
East New Bern Road
33.4 mi
36m
Jordan Road
24.3 mi
35m
Triangle Expressway
22 mi
23m
US 70
21.7 mi
26m
US 64
21 mi
27m
Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi
21m
US 70 BYP
14.3 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
NC 49
— 41.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and James City, NC.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·21 sec·Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn left onto Corban Avenue Southwest
0.2 mi·24 sec·Corban Avenue Southwest
3
Continue on NC 73
3.9 mi·6 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on NC 73
3.8 mi·5 min·NC 73
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
6
Merge onto NC 49
41 mi·53 min·NC 49
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NC 49
0.2 mi·38 sec·NC 49
8
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
3.5 mi·6 min·West Dixie Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
7.1 mi·10 min·Richard K. Pugh Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 64; NC 49
24 mi·35 min·Jordan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi·27 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll SouthUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi·23 min·Triangle Expressway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield
16
Merge onto I 42
8.7 mi·9 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
17
Continue on US 70
7.6 mi·9 min·US 70
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
14 mi·19 min·US 70 BYP
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 70
11 mi·13 min·US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto US 70; US 258
3.1 mi·4 min·West New Bern Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on US 70; NC 58
33 mi·36 min·East New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
1.5 mi·2 min·Freedom Memorial Bridge
25
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi·52 sec·US 70
26
Arrive at destination
US 70
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 53m estimated drive time and 231 miles, starting in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight. The route suggests one stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel ready. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highway sections, as services might be more spaced out. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so budget accordingly. This drive is easily completed in one day, giving you flexibility with your timing.
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 115.5 miles from Concord, NC, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.1 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 51 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 2h 39m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near James 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.
+
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 231 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Concord, 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 NC 49 for about 41.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 144.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Corban Avenue Southwest
Turn left onto Corban Avenue Southwest
Navigation decision point
5
8.2 mi into trip|~13m in|NC 49
Merge onto NC 49
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
84.1 mi into trip|~2h in|US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
105.1 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward NC 540 Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NC 540 Toll South
6
144.7 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|US 70 BYP
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.10 one way
$68.21 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.48
$74.96
premium
$4.49
$40.85
$81.70
diesel
$4.80
$43.62
$87.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.26
$11.09
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.21
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.34
$14.78
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Concord, NC
Morning
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 1 to 9 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:11PM EDT until July 18 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
James City, NC
Morning
in James City on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 14 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:18PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:11PM EDT until July 18 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
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
8 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
4h 53m 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 balances highway and surface roads, with 54% of the route on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 41.1 miles on NC 49 before transitioning to other roads like East New Bern Road and Jordan Road. Expect a mixed driving experience, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more varied surface road conditions.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.1 mi on NC 49.
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 0.1 miles in near Corban Avenue Southwest.
Driving Effort8/10
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 231 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 (Corban Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (NC 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4h 53m. Total distance: 231 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.1 miles on NC 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 James City, 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. 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 (Corban Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles (NC 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at James City, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
