Concord, NC to Wrightsville Beach, NC is 205.3 miles and takes about 4h 22m via Andrew Jackson Highway and NC 742, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the coast. You'll be spending most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is very manageable for a single 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
102.7 miles from Concord, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
NC 742
22.3 mi
30m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
Warren C. Coleman Boulevard
9.6 mi
11m
NC 24
8.6 mi
13m
US 17
6.1 mi
10m
NC 205
4.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, NC and Wrightsville Beach, 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
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
22
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
1.9 mi·3 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
23
Turn straight onto US 17; US 76
6.1 mi·10 min·US 17; US 76
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on Wrightsville Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Wrightsville Avenue
25
Turn right onto US 74; US 76
484 ft·13 sec·Eastwood Road
26
Continue on US 74; US 76
0.3 mi·34 sec·Wrightsville Avenue
27
Continue on US 74; US 76
0.1 mi·16 sec·Causeway Drive
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 76
0.9 mi·2 min·Causeway Drive
29
Arrive at destination
US 76
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 22m drive, consider leaving Concord in the morning to arrive at Wrightsville Beach with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost around $35, you can plan your budget accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but keep in mind the longest stretch is 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, so plan for a break before you hit that point if needed. The prevalence of surface roads means you'll be navigating more local traffic and potential slowdowns, so build in a little extra time if you're aiming for a precise arrival.
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 102.7 miles from Concord, NC, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91 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 45 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 14m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wrightsville Beach, 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 205.3 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 91 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 11
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
$30.31 one way
$60.62 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.31
$66.62
premium
$4.49
$36.31
$72.61
diesel
$4.80
$38.76
$77.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 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
61.6
0
$21.56
$9.85
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
EV Truck/SUV
82.1
1
$28.74
$13.14
Gas CO2
72 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
Morning
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:33PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:28PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Morning
in Wrightsville Beach on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Clear
SW 15 to 18 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:33PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:28PM 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 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 22m 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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 177
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with only 28% of the route on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect to notice more frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you move between towns and rural areas.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 11 significant decision points across 205.3 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 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.
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 22m. Total distance: 205.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91 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 Wrightsville Beach, 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 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Wrightsville Beach, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
