Origin
Graham, NC
Late night in Graham on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Graham, NC to Concord, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
92.8 mi
149 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Graham, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 92.8-mile drive from Graham, North Carolina, to Concord, North Carolina, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 46 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, this route is primarily highway-focused, with 96% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-85 and I-40. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $15 for this journey. The drive is contained within the Southeast region, offering a consistent experience as you travel south. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal route for a quick relocation or a short, focused trip without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.4 miles from Graham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 60.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| I 40 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| US 29 | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| Church Street North | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| US 601 | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Cabarrus Avenue West | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 60.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Graham, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on NC 87
61 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southwest Court Square
2
Turn right onto NC 87
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
4
Merge onto I 40; I 85
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 601
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 601
Exit 58
Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 601
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 601
Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downtown
Use the left lane.
10
Turn straight onto Church Street North
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Church Street North
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft
·
11 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 46 minute, 92.8-mile trip, planning is minimal, offering you flexibility. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic on I-85 as you approach Concord. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before departing Graham, as there are no designated stops in the provided data, and the longest stretch is over 60 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment on I-85, to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 46.4 miles from Graham, NC, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.4 miles or 53m 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 25m
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 Graham, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Graham, NC
This is one driving day of about 92.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Graham, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 60.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.4 miles from Graham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 16 and 92.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
23.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
8
89.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 601
Take the exit onto US 601 toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward US 29, US 601 South: Kannapolis, Concord...
8
89.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 601
Keep slight left at fork onto US 601 toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 29 South, US 601 South: Concord Downt...
7
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
Spring Street Southwest
Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.51 one way
$29.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.87 | $31.73 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.18 | $34.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.49 | $40.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.74 | $4.45 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.12 | $3.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.99 | $5.94 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night in Concord on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
1h 46m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with a substantial 96% of the 92.8 miles spent on major interstates. You'll encounter stretches like the 60.2-mile segment on I-85, which means extended periods of consistent speed and straightforward navigation. While I-40 and Sam Hunt Freeway also contribute to the highway profile, the overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. This route prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, making it a practical choice for those who prefer to cover distance quickly.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.2 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Sam Hunt Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.8 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 16 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 92.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.2 miles on I 85. 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 16 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.3 miles (US 601): 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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