Driving from Concord to Southport covers 208.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 25 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance within the Southeast region, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $33 for fuel to make the trip. You will navigate a variety of corridors, including the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and NC 211. This route offers a straightforward transition from the interior of North Carolina toward the coast, making it a practical choice for a weekend getaway or a direct transit day.
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
104.4 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
65.3 mi
1h 15m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
NC 211
25.4 mi
34m
NC 742
22.3 mi
30m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
15 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
Warren C. Coleman Boulevard
9.6 mi
11m
NC 24
8.6 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Southport, 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
0.6 mi·1 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto NC 3
2.3 mi·3 min·Branchview Drive Southeast
5
Continue on NC 3
0.6 mi·51 sec·Union Street South
6
Turn slight left onto US 601; NC 73 Truck
9.6 mi·11 min·Warren C. Coleman Boulevard
7
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.6 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto NC 205
4.3 mi·7 min·NC 205
9
Continue on NC 742
22 mi·30 min·NC 742
10
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 52; NC 742
11
Turn left onto US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi·26 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
12
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
13
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
14
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
16
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
20
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
22
Turn right onto NC 211
25 mi·34 min·NC 211
23
Continue on NC 211
15 mi·21 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on NC 211
1.9 mi·3 min·North Howe Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
NC 211
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Including one well-timed stop will help you break up the 208.7-mile trek and keep your focus sharp behind the wheel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 65.3-mile stretch on the Andrew Jackson Highway to ensure you aren't caught off guard between service stations. Because the route relies heavily on state-level highways rather than interstates, be prepared for potential changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. Prioritizing a mid-morning departure can help you avoid the heaviest traffic near your starting point in Concord.
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 104.4 miles from Concord, NC, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 46 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.4 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 208.7 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 65.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 88.2 — 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
13.3 mi into trip|~17m in|NC 24; NC 27
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
48.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 52; US 74; NC 742 / W. Cliff Martin Highway
Turn left onto US 52; US 74; NC 742 / W. Cliff Martin Highway
Navigation decision point
5
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 East: Lumberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
6
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.81 one way
$61.62 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.86
$67.72
premium
$4.49
$36.91
$73.82
diesel
$4.80
$39.41
$78.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.91
$10.02
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.26
$8.35
EV Truck/SUV
83.5
1
$29.22
$13.36
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 2 to 9 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 7:56PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Southport, NC
Late night
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Clear then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 17 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 7:56PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 25m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 165.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed driving profile, requiring you to balance highway travel with more localized road conditions. With only 36% of the journey on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating secondary routes that offer a different pace than typical interstate driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 65.3 miles along the Andrew Jackson Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the drive transitions into the final segments of the trip. Expect the road personality to shift from broader thoroughfares to the more specific navigation required by NC 211 as you approach the coast.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Corban Avenue Southwest.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 208.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (Corban Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (NC 24; NC 27): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.9 miles (US 52; US 74; NC 742 / W. Cliff Martin Highway): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
329 ft17 ft
Total Climb
56 ft
Total Descent
325 ft
Highest Point
329 ft
~74.5 mi in
Elevation Range
313 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Southport is a city on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Back in the 18th century, British settlements along this stretch of coast were afflicted by buccaneers and Spanish frigates to the point that a fortification named Fort Johnston had to be built, around which a town then called Smithville after Revolutionary War figure Benjamin Smith took shape, which eventually became known as Southport (in the hopes that it would initiate maritime traffic). But if anything Southport is a leisure and retirement haven, although granted it does have some military and nuclear power facilities nearby. It's also a filming location, such as for the movies Safe Haven and Nights in Rodanthe that you might have seen.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 208.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Southport, 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Corban Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (NC 24; NC 27): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.9 miles (US 52; US 74; NC 742 / W. Cliff Martin Highway): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Southport, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
