Concord, NC to Raleigh, NC is 121.2 miles and takes about 2h 51m via NC 49 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll experience a mixed drive, so expect a bit of everything as you make your way across the state. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost under $20, this is a straightforward, budget-friendly journey ideal for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.6 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 49
41.1 mi
54m
US 64
27.4 mi
36m
Jordan Road
24.3 mi
35m
Richard K. Pugh Highway
7.1 mi
10m
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
5.4 mi
6m
Corban Avenue Southeast
3.9 mi
6m
NC 73
3.8 mi
5m
West Dixie Drive
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
NC 49
— 41.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Raleigh, 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
27 mi·35 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 64
0.5 mi·1 min·US 64
Exit 404BToward US 1 North, US 64 East: Raleigh
13
Merge onto US 1; US 64
5.4 mi·6 min·Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, CaryUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
446 ft·9 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
16
Turn straight onto Western Boulevard
3.1 mi·5 min·Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
18
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·South Wilmington Street
19
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft·0 sec·East South Street
20
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 51-minute drive time, this trip is easily doable in a single day, offering flexibility for when you depart. Aim to leave Concord in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You only need one stop factored in, so consider planning that around the halfway point or where you feel ready for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is around $19, and it's always wise to have more than enough, particularly before tackling the 41.1-mile stretch on NC 49.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.6 miles from Concord, NC, or about 1h 25m 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.6 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raleigh, 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 121.2 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 117.2 — 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
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
111 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 1 North, US 64 East: Raleigh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 404B
Toward US 1 North, US 64 East: Raleigh
7
116.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
6
117.2 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.95 one way
$37.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.72
$41.45
premium
$4.70
$22.43
$44.86
diesel
$5.61
$26.76
$53.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.4
0
$12.73
$5.82
Efficient EV
30.3
0
$10.61
$4.85
EV Truck/SUV
48.5
0
$16.97
$7.76
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Late night
in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
1 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 51m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 60% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on NC 49, US 64, and Jordan Road, providing some variety. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll face is 41.1 miles on NC 49, giving you a solid block of driving before needing to navigate any turns. This blend means you'll get some faster-paced highway segments mixed with potentially more local road driving as you get closer to Raleigh.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 121.2 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 84.1 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The capital of North Carolina and the largest city of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is the primary political and economic driver of the metro area. Indeed, business and politics are the main draws to Raleigh, which lacks the more trendy feel or active arts scene of Durham or Chapel Hill to the west. However, a concerted effort to expand the residential base and move events downtown has led to significantly expanded retail and restaurant options in the downtown core. Also, visitors will find many of the state's cultural institutions here, namely a major performing arts center downtown and three state museums, and a college town atmosphere in the neighborhood around the campus of North Carolina State University, the state's largest university.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 121.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 Raleigh, 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 84.1 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Raleigh, NC before heading back.
