Saint James, NC to Concord, NC is 205.1 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Andrew Jackson Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns and local roads, rather than a straight shot on major highways. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day journey.
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
102.6 miles from Saint James, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
65.9 mi
1h 16m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Green Swamp Road Northwest
25.6 mi
35m
NC 742
24.9 mi
35m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
US 601
9.6 mi
10m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
9 mi
12m
NC 24
8.7 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 65.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint James, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on this road
118 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto St James Drive Southeast
0.7 mi·2 min·St James Drive Southeast
3
Turn left onto Members Club Boulevard
0.8 mi·3 min·Members Club Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Wingfoot Drive
207 ft·9 sec·Wingfoot Drive
5
Turn left onto Fairway Village Drive
221 ft·14 sec·Fairway Village Drive
6
Turn straight onto Wingfoot Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Wingfoot Drive
7
Turn right onto Ellington Place
0.3 mi·1 min·Ellington Place
8
At end of road, turn right onto Parkridge Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Parkridge Drive
9
Enter roundabout
243 ft·10 sec
10
Continue
0.4 mi·1 min
11
Turn right onto NC 906
1.1 mi·1 min·Middleton Street
12
Turn left onto NC 211
9.0 mi·12 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on NC 211
26 mi·35 min·Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
15
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
16
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
17
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306BToward US 74 West: MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
22
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi·24 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
23
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 52; NC 742
24
Continue on NC 742
25 mi·35 min·NC 742
25
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi·3 min·NC 205
26
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto US 601
9.6 mi·10 min·US 601
28
Take the exit onto Union Street South
0.6 mi·58 sec·Union Street South
29
Continue on NC 3
2.3 mi·3 min·Branchview Drive Southeast
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn left onto NC 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
32
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
33
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 26m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, leaving plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Consider starting your drive in the morning to allow ample time for the numerous turns and local road segments. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $32, planning your fuel intake is straightforward. Pay close attention to your GPS or navigation system, especially when transitioning between the main roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route necessitates vigilance.
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 102.6 miles from Saint James, NC, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.9 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 45 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
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 Saint James, 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 Saint James, NC
This is one driving day of about 205.1 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Saint James, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 65.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 204.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.1 mi into trip|~13m in|NC 211 / Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Turn left onto NC 211 / Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
141.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
5
204.3 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.28 one way
$60.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.28
$66.55
premium
$4.49
$36.27
$72.54
diesel
$4.80
$38.73
$77.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.5
0
$21.54
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.95
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.71
$13.13
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Saint James, NC
Late night
in Saint James on Monday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Clear
SW 13 to 16 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:33PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:28PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Concord, NC
Late night
in Concord on Monday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:33PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:28PM EDT by NWS Raleigh 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
8 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
4h 26m 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.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 35.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, with only 29% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time navigating local roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, providing a brief period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more frequent turns. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.9 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.1 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.1 miles (NC 211 / Southport-Supply Road Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 126.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
684 ft10 ft
Total Climb
855 ft
Total Descent
181 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
~205.1 mi in
Elevation Range
674 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 4h 26m. Total distance: 205.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.1 miles (NC 211 / Southport-Supply Road Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 126.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Concord, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
