Trip from Oxford, NC to Concord, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

150 mi

241 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 41m ★

6 AM

2h 52m

8 AM

3h 14m

10 AM

3h 0m

12 PM

2h 57m

3 PM

3h 1m

5 PM

3h 13m

8 PM

2h 45m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Oxford, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Concord, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Oxford, NC to Concord, NC is 150 miles and takes about 2 hours 51 minutes via I 85, I 40, and US 29, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, covering ground entirely within North Carolina. Given its relatively short distance and predominantly highway profile, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a straightforward drive connecting two points in the state, making it a practical choice for transit.

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

75 miles from Oxford, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 85	130.2 mi	2h 24m
I 40	7.7 mi	9m
US 29	5.4 mi	5m
Church Street North	2.2 mi	4m
Lewis Street	2.1 mi	2m
US 601	1 mi	1m
US 15	0.6 mi	<1m
Hillsboro Street	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 85 — 130.2 mi, about 2h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 15; NC 96

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Hillsboro Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 15

2.1 mi · 2 min · Lewis Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 15

0.6 mi · 40 sec · US 15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 85

28 mi · 31 min · I 85

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

42 mi · 48 min · I 85; US 70

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 85

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Turn straight onto Church Street North

2.2 mi · 4 min · Church Street North

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest

409 ft · 11 sec · Spring Street Southwest

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

Spring Street Southwest

Trip Plan

For this 150-mile trip, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion in urban areas. With a drive time under 3 hours, you likely won't need more than one brief stop for fuel or a quick break. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is budget-friendly, but it's always wise to check current prices. Since the drive is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast in Oxford.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 75 miles from Oxford, NC, or about 1h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.2 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 33 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m

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 Oxford, 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 Oxford, NC

This is one driving day of about 150 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Oxford, 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 I 85 for about 130.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greensboro, NC

75 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

Durham, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greensboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75 miles from Oxford, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.2 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oxford, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19196791002

Visit website

Uptown Bar & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oxford, North Carolina

0.1 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Salisbury, North Carolina

0.9 mi

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

1.3 mi

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19196791002

Visit website

Uptown Bar & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19193394174

Visit website

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Salisbury, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19802480633

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

+13365841115

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Alamance County Historical Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Burlington, NC

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13362268254

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 30.9 and 149.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

30.9 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 85; US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 34m 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...

146.5 mi into trip | ~2h 44m 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...

146.6 mi into trip | ~2h 45m 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...

149.9 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | Spring Street Southwest

Turn left onto Spring Street Southwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.46 one way

$46.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$25.65	$51.30
premium	$4.70	$27.76	$55.52
diesel	$5.61	$33.12	$66.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45	$15.75	$7.20
Efficient EV	37.5	$13.13	$6.00
EV Truck/SUV	60	$21.00	$9.60

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Oxford, NC

Late night in Oxford on Tuesday

Local time

4:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Concord, NC

Late night in Concord on Tuesday

Local time

4:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°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

3 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

2h 51m 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?

This route is almost entirely highway, with 97% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 130.2 miles on I 85 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic, typical for such a significant highway share. The final portion of your drive will involve navigating surface streets as you approach your destination.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 130.2 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.9 miles in near I 85; US 70.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 150 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 30.9 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.9 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.5 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 2h 51m. Total distance: 150 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130.2 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.

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.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Concord, NC to Oxford, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

149.9 mi 2h 53m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.

Trip from Oxford, 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

Stops Along Your Drive

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

Uptown Bar & Restaurant

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

Koco Java coffee llc

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

The Holy Grind Coffee House

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

Verb Coffee

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

Nissan Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Bell Tower Green

Graham Regional Park

Gold Park

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Museum of Life and Science

Baker's Creek Park

American Tobacco Campus

Alamance County Historical Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Oxford, NC

Concord, NC

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 51m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Concord, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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

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