Traveling from Cricket to Concord spans 84.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes to complete. Because this is a straightforward trek through the Southeast, you can easily manage the entire journey in a single day without needing an overnight stop. Budget approximately $13 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains quite affordable for a trip of this length. The route relies primarily on a combination of I-77, US-421, and Landis Highway, making it a functional choice for those who prioritize efficiency over winding backroads. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a predictable and reliable transit between these two North Carolina locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Cricket, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
31.5 mi
35m
US 421
21.7 mi
25m
Landis Highway
5.3 mi
7m
Charlotte Highway
4.2 mi
6m
North Enochville Avenue
3.8 mi
5m
West C Street
2.5 mi
4m
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
Church Street North
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 31.5 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cricket, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Boone Trail
0.7 mi·1 min·Boone Trail
2
Turn right onto Curtis Bridge Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Curtis Bridge Road
3
Continue on this road
378 ft·10 sec·this road
4
Turn left onto US 421; NC 16
22 mi·25 min·US 421; NC 16
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 77 South: Statesville, Charlotte
6
Merge onto I 77
32 mi·35 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 42Toward US 21, NC 115: TroutmanUse the right lane.
8
Turn right onto US 21; NC 115
4.2 mi·6 min·Charlotte Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on NC 115
0.9 mi·1 min·Statesville Highway
10
Turn left onto Mazeppa Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Mazeppa Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Overhead Bridge Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Overhead Bridge Road
12
Turn left onto NC 150
1.9 mi·3 min·Oak Ridge Farm Highway
13
Continue on NC 150; NC 152
0.3 mi·30 sec·Oakridge Farm Highway
14
Turn right onto NC 152
5.3 mi·7 min·Landis Highway
15
Turn right onto Deal Road
0.7 mi·57 sec·Deal Road
16
Turn left onto North Enochville Avenue
3.8 mi·5 min·North Enochville Avenue
17
Turn left onto West C Street
2.5 mi·4 min·West C Street
18
Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
2.5 mi·4 min·Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 29
2.1 mi·3 min·South Cannon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 29; US 601
0.8 mi·1 min·Concord Parkway North
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Church Street North
2.2 mi·4 min·Church Street North
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.2 mi·39 sec·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft·11 sec·Spring Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic on the interstate portions. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the sub-two-hour duration, but keeping your gas tank filled before merging onto I-77 is a smart move to ensure you reach Concord without unnecessary interruptions. Pay close attention to the transition points between US-421 and the highway segments, as these are the moments where you will need to adjust your speed most significantly. Use the $13 fuel estimate as a baseline for your travel budget, and enjoy the convenience of a direct, single-day route that gets you to your destination efficiently.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.4 miles from Cricket, NC, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.5 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cricket, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cricket, NC
This is one driving day of about 84.8 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Cricket, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 77 for about 31.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.5 and 84.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
23.5 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 77 South: Statesville, Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 77 South: Statesville, Charlotte
5
24 mi into trip|~30m in|I 77
Merge onto I 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 21, NC 115: Troutman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 42
Toward US 21, NC 115: Troutman
6
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|Cabarrus Avenue West
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|Spring Street Southwest
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.26 one way
$26.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.50
$29.00
premium
$4.70
$15.69
$31.39
diesel
$5.61
$18.72
$37.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.4
0
$8.90
$4.07
Efficient EV
21.2
0
$7.42
$3.39
EV Truck/SUV
33.9
0
$11.87
$5.43
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 18, 2026
Origin
Cricket, NC
Late night
in Cricket on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SSW 0 to 9 mph1% 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
13 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
1h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused personality, as 64% of your journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stint covering 31.5 miles on I-77, allowing you to settle into a consistent cruising speed. While the transition from US-421 to the interstate sections moves quickly, the final stretches involving Landis Highway bring a shift in pace as you approach your destination. The overall experience is less about scenic meandering and more about steady, practical transit. By sticking to these primary arteries, you avoid the complications of smaller, slower-moving local roads, keeping your transit time predictable throughout the duration of the trip.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.5 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and US 421. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in.
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 84.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cricket, NC to Concord, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Charlotte along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 84.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.5 miles on I 77. 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 Concord, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Concord, NC before heading back.
