Liberty, NC to Concord, NC is 264.3 miles and takes about 5h 39m via US 19 and US 74, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect a varied driving experience. It's a manageable one-day drive, perfect if you want to get to your destination without an overnight stop.
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
132.1 miles from Liberty, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 19
76.6 mi
1h 38m
US 74
41.3 mi
51m
Cameron Morrison Bridge
18.4 mi
22m
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
18.2 mi
19m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi
21m
James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi
17m
Andrew Jackson Highway
13.8 mi
16m
NC 294
12.7 mi
21m
Longest stretch:
US 19
— 76.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,222 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~638 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Liberty, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on NC 294
13 mi·21 min·NC 294
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 64; US 74
8.1 mi·12 min·West US 64
3
Continue on US 19; US 74; US 129
24 mi·33 min·US 19; US 74; US 129
4
Continue on US 19; US 74
9.9 mi·12 min·US Highway 19
5
Turn left onto US 19; US 74
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 19; US 74
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck
18 mi·23 min·US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
7
Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck
23 mi·27 min·US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
9
Take the exit onto US 74
0.3 mi·18 sec·Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, RutherfordtonUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
0.2 mi·10 sec·Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
11
Continue on US 74
18 mi·19 min·Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
12
Continue on US 74
15 mi·17 min·James A. Callahan Highway
13
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi·17 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
15
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi·7 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 85
18 mi·21 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on I 85
18 mi·22 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 46AToward Mallard Creek Church Road EastUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
0.9 mi·1 min·West Mallard Creek Church Road
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto US 29
2.2 mi·3 min·North Tryon Street
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on US 29
6.7 mi·9 min·Concord Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.0 mi·1 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
Use the right lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
156 ft·3 sec·Cabarrus Avenue West
26
Continue on Cabarrus Avenue West
0.9 mi·2 min·Cabarrus Avenue West
27
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
409 ft·11 sec·Spring Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 39m drive time, leaving Liberty, NC in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Concord, NC with plenty of daylight. The recommended one stop is likely sufficient, but you can adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $44. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but be aware that 76.6 miles on US 19 will be your longest continuous stretch without a break, so plan accordingly.
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 132.1 miles from Liberty, NC, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 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 58 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 55m 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 36m
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 Liberty, 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 Liberty, NC
This is one driving day of about 264.3 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Liberty, 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 19 for about 76.6 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 107.2 and 252.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|US 74; US 64 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
8
160.5 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
7
160.8 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
8
215.2 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
7
252.1 mi into trip|~5h 19m in
Take the exit toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.02 one way
$78.04 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.88
$85.76
premium
$4.49
$46.74
$93.48
diesel
$4.80
$49.90
$99.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.75
$12.69
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.13
$10.57
EV Truck/SUV
105.7
1
$37.00
$16.92
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Liberty, NC
Late night
in Liberty on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 1 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
82°F
Bent Creek, NC
132 mi in
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
6 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 39m 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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 72.9
Park Closure: Heintooga Ridge Road is currently closed
Park Closure: Ramsey Cascades Trail temporarily closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 59% of this drive is on highways. You'll experience the longest stretch of continuous driving for 76.6 miles on US 19. The route transitions between highway cruising and surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and exit frequency. Expect to merge into traffic as you navigate different road types.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on US 19.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.2 miles in near US 74; US 64 Truck.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 264.3 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 107.2 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 160.5 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.8 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,339 ft684 ft
Total Climb
1,828 ft
Total Descent
2,790 ft
Highest Point
3,339 ft
~95.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,655 ft
Notable High Points
3,339 ft at ~95.3 miles+601 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Liberty, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Rutherfordton and Charlotte.
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 5h 39m. Total distance: 264.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.6 miles on US 19. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.2 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 160.5 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.8 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Concord, NC before the return drive.
