Concord, NC to Swansboro, NC is 253.3 miles and takes about 5h 30m via I 40 and NC 49, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region of Concord to the Southeast region of Swansboro. With a highway share of 68%, you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates, making for a relatively straightforward trip. This route is well-suited for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
126.6 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
60.4 mi
1h 4m
NC 49
41.1 mi
54m
Jordan Road
24.3 mi
35m
Triangle Expressway
22 mi
23m
US 64
21 mi
27m
NC 111
14.4 mi
21m
Freedom Way
9.3 mi
11m
Richard K. Pugh Highway
7.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~798 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,234
Quietest
2 AM
~51 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Swansboro, 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 right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
15
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi·53 sec·I 40
16
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 40
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
18
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi·47 sec·NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
19
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
20
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
21
Turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
22
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
23
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·NC 111
25
Merge onto US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
26
Continue on NC 24; NC 53
3.0 mi·3 min·NC 24; NC 53
27
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
0.4 mi·28 sec·Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
28
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
1.3 mi·1 min·Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397
0.6 mi·48 sec·Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
30
Merge onto NC 24; NC 53
5.2 mi·7 min·Lejeune Boulevard
31
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi·11 min·Freedom Way
32
Continue on NC 24
2.7 mi·5 min·West Corbett Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn slight right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Main Street
34
Turn right onto South Water Street
38 ft·1 sec·South Water Street
35
Arrive at destination
South Water Street
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Swansboro well before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider starting between 9 AM and 10 AM to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic if Concord has any significant commuter periods. There's only one recommended stop, so plan this strategically for a fuel break or a quick meal. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially before heading onto NC 49 and Jordan Road, where services might be more spread out than on I 40.
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 126.6 miles from Concord, NC, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 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 56 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.6 miles or 2h 50m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swansboro, 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 253.3 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 40 for about 60.4 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 129 — 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
8
129 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.29 one way
$80.58 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$43.93
$87.86
premium
$4.78
$47.66
$95.32
diesel
$5.35
$53.35
$106.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76
0
$26.60
$12.16
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.16
$10.13
EV Truck/SUV
101.3
1
$35.46
$16.21
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 May 28, 2026
Origin
Concord, NC
Afternoon
in Concord on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
NNW 1 to 6 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Swansboro, NC
Afternoon
in Swansboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 to 10 mph37% chanceLive 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
4 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
5h 30m 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 features a significant amount of highway driving, with 68% of the route on higher-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a significant change in road type at 60.4 miles on I 40. The transition from primarily highway to NC 49 and Jordan Road means you'll notice the exits becoming less frequent and the pace of traffic generally slowing down after leaving I 40.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 49. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 253.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
684 ft16 ft
Total Climb
112 ft
Total Descent
780 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
Elevation Range
668 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concord, NC and Swansboro, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Kenansville.
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
Swansboro, sometimes called the "Friendly City by the Sea", is a town of 3,700 people (as of 2020) in Onslow County, North Carolina, between the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The town was incorporated in 1783, and named for Samuel Swann, a former Speaker in the North Carolina legislature. It's on the western border of the popular Crystal Coast tourist region, and is often considered to be unofficially part of the region. The town's main attractions are its beautiful waterfront views and its quaint downtown, filled with boutiques, shops and delicious restaurants.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 253.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Swansboro, 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 6 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Swansboro, NC before the return drive.
