Origin
Maggie Valley, NC
Morning in Maggie Valley on Sunday
Local time
9:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maggie Valley, 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 32m
Distance
168.3 mi
271 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maggie Valley, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Concord, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 168.3-mile drive from Maggie Valley to Concord, North Carolina, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. You'll be traveling through the Southeast region of the US, staying within NC for the entire journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a travel day. The drive profile is a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of different road types. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It offers a straightforward path with one recommended stop.
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
84.2 miles from Maggie Valley, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 74
— 41.3 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maggie Valley, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on Memory Lane
67 ft
·
8 sec
·
Memory Lane
2
Turn left onto US 19
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Soco Road
3
Continue on US 19; US 276
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Dellwood Road
4
Take the ramp onto US 19
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 19
5
Merge onto US 19; US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
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 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Use 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, Charlotte
Use 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 46A
Toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
Use 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
For this 3-hour and 32-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours and allow for your single planned stop. The estimated fuel cost of $26 is quite budget-friendly, so monitoring your fuel gauge should be straightforward. Keep an eye out for the transition onto the Cameron Morrison Bridge and Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway, as these mark key segments of your journey. Since it's a relatively short, one-day trip, you have the flexibility to make your stop when it feels most convenient, perhaps after completing the 41.3-mile stretch on US 74.
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 84.2 miles from Maggie Valley, NC, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 37 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 44m 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 50m
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 Maggie Valley, 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 Maggie Valley, NC
This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Maggie Valley, 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 74 for about 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Maggie Valley, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 156.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.3 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m 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
119.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m 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
156.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m 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
$26.32 one way
$52.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.78 | $57.55 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.16 | $74.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Morning in Concord on Sunday
Local time
9:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Shelby, NC
84 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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 32m 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 road character for this trip is a 'Mixed drive,' meaning you'll encounter a variety of driving experiences. With 31% of the journey on highways, expect some faster-paced travel, interspersed with other road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 41.3 miles on US 74, offering a sustained period on this particular roadway. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind but will also experience varied scenery and road conditions as you progress toward Concord.
31% 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: 41.3 mi on US 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 11.3 miles in near US 74; US 64 Truck.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 168.3 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 11.3 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64.6 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 64.9 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maggie Valley, NC and Concord, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Rutherfordton, Charlotte and Mallard Creek Church Road East.
Spartanburg
29.8 mi in
|
~41m
|
via US 74; US 64 Truck
Rutherfordton
64.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via US 74
Charlotte
119.3 mi in
|
~2h 28m
Mallard Creek Church Road East
156.2 mi in
|
~3h 12m
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 32m. Total distance: 168.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.3 miles on US 74. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64.6 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 64.9 miles (US 74 / Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 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.
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