Trip from Kenly, 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

3h 30m

Distance

158.7 mi

255 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 18m ★

6 AM

3h 31m

8 AM

3h 55m

10 AM

3h 39m

12 PM

3h 37m

3 PM

3h 41m

5 PM

3h 54m

8 PM

3h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Kenly, NC

R9 Media Photo Collective

Concord, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 158.7-mile drive from Kenly, NC to Concord, NC is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend about 3 hours and 30 minutes on the road, making it a convenient option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes US 64 and NC 49, with a significant portion on the Triangle Expressway, meaning most of your travel will be on high-speed roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it’s an economical option for getting between these two North Carolina towns. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79.4 miles from Kenly, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 64	50.8 mi	1h 10m
NC 49	40.7 mi	53m
Triangle Expressway	21.4 mi	22m
I 95	10 mi	11m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway	9.4 mi	10m
US 70	9 mi	11m
NC 73	7.5 mi	11m
East Dixie Drive	3.5 mi	6m

Longest stretch: US 64 — 50.8 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kenly, NC and Concord, NC.

Start on this road

43 ft · 8 sec · this road

Turn left onto US 301

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Church Street

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Merge onto I 95

10 mi · 11 min · I 95

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward US 70: Selma, Pine Level, Goldsboro

Turn right onto US 70

9.0 mi · 11 min · US 70

Continue on I 42

9.4 mi · 10 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 43 sec

Exit 318 Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward NC 540 Toll West

Merge onto NC 540 Toll

21 mi · 22 min · Triangle Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 59A-B Toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 59B Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 64

51 mi · 1 hr 10 min · US 64

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49

1.8 mi · 2 min · Richard K. Pugh Highway

Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49

3.5 mi · 6 min · East Dixie Drive

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right

312 ft · 11 sec

Turn slight right onto Brookway Road

314 ft · 12 sec · Brookway Road

Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Albemarle Road

Continue on NC 49

9.9 mi · 13 min · NC 49

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on NC 49

31 mi · 39 min · NC 49

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Turn right onto NC 73

7.5 mi · 11 min · NC 73

Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Corban Avenue Southeast

Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Spring Street Southwest

Arrive at destination

Spring Street Southwest

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 30-minute duration, this drive is perfect for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Kenly in the morning will allow you to arrive in Concord with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 158.7 miles based on your own needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $25, and plan your refueling accordingly. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of the transition onto the Triangle Expressway, as it's a significant portion of your highway mileage and requires maintaining highway speeds.

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 79.4 miles from Kenly, NC, or about 1h 39m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.8 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 35 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79.4 miles or 1h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 51m

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 Kenly, 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 Kenly, NC

This is one driving day of about 158.7 miles and 3h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Kenly, 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 US 64 for about 50.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greensboro, NC

79 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

Raleigh, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Graham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.4 miles from Kenly, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 158.7

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

1.3 mi

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

1.8 mi

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 158.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 56.7

Apex, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 34

Garner, North Carolina

+19197734442

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 45.3

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

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 29.9 and 109.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

29.9 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 318 Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington

52.6 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 59A-B Toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro

53.1 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 59B Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro

104.2 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Ashebo...

109.6 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | Albemarle Road

Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.82 one way

$49.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$27.14	$54.27
premium	$4.70	$29.37	$58.74
diesel	$5.61	$35.04	$70.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	47.6	$16.66	$7.62
Efficient EV	39.7	$13.89	$6.35
EV Truck/SUV	63.5	$22.22	$10.16

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Kenly, NC

Morning in Kenly on Sunday

Local time

10:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Sunny

SW 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Concord, NC

Morning in Concord on Sunday

Local time

10:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Sunny

SW 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 30m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a road that is predominantly highway, with 88% of the drive being on faster routes. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 50.8 miles on US 64, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The mix of US 64, NC 49, and the Triangle Expressway suggests a character that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. This profile points to a drive where you'll likely experience smooth, consistent travel for most of the 158.7 miles, with limited opportunities for slower, more scenic exploration.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 50.8 mi on US 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and NC 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 17 significant decision points across 158.7 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 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Kenly, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Pine Level, Goldsboro and Pittsboro.

Pine Level

11.1 mi in | ~13m

Goldsboro

11.1 mi in | ~13m

Pittsboro

52.6 mi in | ~1h 1m

About the Cities

Arriving in Concord, NC

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 50.8 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Concord, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Kenly, NC or browse trips ending in Concord, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.

Trip from Kenly, NC to Concord, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

Verb Coffee

French Express Coffee House

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

East Clayton Community Park

Lake Benson Park

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Kenly, NC

Concord, NC

Same local time

Very similar conditions

3h 30m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Concord, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Concord, NC

More from Kenly, NC

More trips to Concord, NC