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Trip from River Bend, 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

4h 57m

Distance

232.7 mi

374 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 44m ★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m

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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Downtown River Bend, NC, NC

River Bend, NC

Tim Dusenberry

city in North Carolina, United States

Concord, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

River Bend, NC to Concord, NC is 232.7 miles and takes about 4h 57m via US 64, NC 49, and US 17, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within North Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll cover ground efficiently. Given the manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel. Plan for a straightforward journey with minimal fuss.

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

116.3 miles from River Bend, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 50.8 mi 1h 10m
NC 49 40.7 mi 53m
US 17 32.2 mi 36m
US 70 23.2 mi 29m
Triangle Expressway 21.4 mi 22m
Goldsboro Bypass 20.2 mi 21m
US 70 BYP 10.1 mi 12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway 9.4 mi 10m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 50.8 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Shoreline Drive

1.1 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
2

Turn left onto US 17 Business

2.4 mi · 3 min · US Highway 17 South
Use the straight lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Use the right lane.
4

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward US 17 North: Washington Use the slight right lane.
5

Merge onto US 17

5.3 mi · 6 min · US 17
6

Merge onto US 17; US 70

27 mi · 29 min · US 17; US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 70; US 258

1.1 mi · 1 min · West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258

2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on US 70; US 258

1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on US 70

9.6 mi · 11 min · US 70
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on I 42

20 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
12

Continue on US 70

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 70
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 70

10 mi · 14 min · US 70
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on US 70

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 70
Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP

10 mi · 12 min · US 70 BYP
16

Continue on I 42

9.4 mi · 10 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 43 sec
Exit 318 Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll West
19

Merge onto NC 540 Toll

21 mi · 22 min · Triangle Expressway
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 59A-B Toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 59B Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro Use the slight right lane.
23

Merge onto US 64

51 mi · 1 hr 10 min · US 64
Use the straight lane.
24

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.
25

Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49

3.5 mi · 6 min · East Dixie Drive
Use the straight lane.
26

Turn slight right

312 ft · 11 sec
27

Turn slight right onto Brookway Road

314 ft · 12 sec · Brookway Road
28

Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Albemarle Road
29

Continue on NC 49

9.9 mi · 13 min · NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Continue on NC 49

31 mi · 39 min · NC 49
Use the straight lane.
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
32

Turn right onto NC 73

7.5 mi · 11 min · NC 73
33

Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Corban Avenue Southeast
34

Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Spring Street Southwest
35

Arrive at destination

Spring Street Southwest

Trip Plan

With a total drive time under 5 hours, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Concord with daylight to spare. Consider making your single planned stop strategically along US 64, as it's your longest stretch. Fuel costs are estimated at $36, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set out, especially before the 50.8-mile segment on US 64. Given the single-day nature of this trip, you can afford to be spontaneous with your timing.

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 116.3 miles from River Bend, NC, or about 2h 18m 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.3 miles or 2h 18m 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

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 River Bend, 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 River Bend, NC

This is one driving day of about 232.7 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from River Bend, 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.

Downtown Apex, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Apex, NC

116 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

Goldsboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Apex, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.3 miles from River Bend, 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 232.7

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

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.3

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 232.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 232.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 232.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17049604013

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 232.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 232.7

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 182.8

Asheboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 182.8

Asheboro, North Carolina

+18333994638

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

New Bern, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 33.2

Kinston, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 149.6

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

New Bern, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 149.6

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

New Bern, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Wayne County Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.5

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+19197345023

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 116.3

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

East Clayton Community Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 99.7

Clayton, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19195531550

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 178.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
3.6 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 17 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 17 North: Washington
6
37.2 mi into trip | ~44m in | US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road

Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
103.8 mi into trip | ~2h 3m 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
8
127.1 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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
8
178.1 mi into trip | ~3h 41m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.39 one way

$72.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $39.79 $79.58
premium $4.70 $43.07 $86.14
diesel $5.61 $51.38 $102.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.8 0 $24.43 $11.17
Efficient EV 58.2 0 $20.36 $9.31
EV Truck/SUV 93.1 1 $32.58 $14.89

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

River Bend, NC

Night in River Bend on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Concord, NC

Night in Concord on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

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

4h 57m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 81% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 50.8 miles on US 64, which will likely be your longest uninterrupted segment. While the main roads are US 64, NC 49, and US 17, expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. This isn't a winding backroad adventure, but rather a direct path designed for covering distance effectively. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing forward momentum.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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 3.6 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 19 significant decision points across 232.7 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from River Bend, NC to Concord, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Pittsboro along the way.

Pittsboro

126.5 mi in | ~2h 28m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 232.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 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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