Traveling from the coast to the Piedmont, this 208.9-mile journey across North Carolina connects Southport to Concord in approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. Since the entire drive is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $33 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively affordable excursion within the Southeast. You will transition from the coastal environment toward the interior of the state, utilizing routes like the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Green Swamp Road Northwest. It is a straightforward trip for those comfortable with local navigation, offering a practical way to cross the state without relying solely on major interstates.
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
104.4 miles from Southport, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m 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
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
14.9 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
US 601
9.6 mi
10m
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 Southport, NC and Concord, NC.
1
Start on NC 211
1.9 mi·3 min·North Howe Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on NC 211
15 mi·21 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on NC 211
26 mi·35 min·Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
5
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
6
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
7
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
12
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi·24 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
13
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 52; NC 742
14
Continue on NC 742
25 mi·35 min·NC 742
15
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi·3 min·NC 205
16
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto US 601
9.6 mi·10 min·US 601
18
Take the exit onto Union Street South
0.6 mi·58 sec·Union Street South
19
Continue on NC 3
2.3 mi·3 min·Branchview Drive Southeast
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto NC 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Corban Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Corban Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·26 sec·Corban Avenue Southeast
22
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
0.1 mi·16 sec·Spring Street Southwest
23
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 25-minute trip, planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to keep you refreshed and alert. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy sections during daylight hours when visibility is optimal. Because you are primarily traveling on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, keep an eye on your fuel gauge and plan your stop around the midway point to ensure you stay within your $33 budget. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the lack of heavy highway congestion allows you to adjust your pace as needed. Pay close attention to road signage when switching between the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Green Swamp Road Northwest to stay on track.
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 104.4 miles from Southport, NC, or about 2h 9m 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 46 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.4 miles or 2h 9m 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 32m
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 Southport, 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 Southport, NC
This is one driving day of about 208.9 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Southport, 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 130.5 and 208.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
144.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
4
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|NC 24; NC 27
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
208 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto NC 73 / Corban Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
208.8 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|Spring Street Southwest
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.67 one way
$65.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.72
$71.44
premium
$4.70
$38.66
$77.33
diesel
$5.61
$46.12
$92.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.93
$10.03
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.28
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.25
$13.37
Gas CO2
73 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Southport, NC
Night
in Southport on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Concord, NC
Night
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Rockingham, NC
104 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
24 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 25m 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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 43.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 29% of this route consists of highways, so you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads that offer a more intimate look at the landscape. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 65.9-mile stretch along the Andrew Jackson Highway, providing a brief period of steady driving before you return to the tighter turns characteristic of the rest of the trip. The transition from the coastal region to the interior keeps the drive engaging, as the road surface and surrounding environment shift throughout the 208.9-mile journey. Prepare for a mix of terrain that feels far more personal and grounded than a monotonous interstate haul.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 130.5 miles in near US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway.
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 208.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 130.5 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.9 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.9 miles (NC 24; NC 27): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
684 ft17 ft
Total Climb
726 ft
Total Descent
59 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
~208.9 mi in
Elevation Range
667 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 208.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m 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.
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 130.5 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.9 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.9 miles (NC 24; NC 27): 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.
