How far is Concord, NC from Forest City, NC?
The driving distance from Concord, NC to Forest City, NC is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Concord and Forest City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord and Forest City.
-
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
125 m · 18 sec · Spring Street Southwest
-
2
Turn left onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.4 km · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cabarrus Avenue West
26 m · 2 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West
-
4
Exit the roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1 mi · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
-
5
Turn left onto Concord Parkway South
6.7 mi · 10 min · Concord Parkway South
-
6
Continue on North Tryon Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Tryon Street
-
7
Take the ramp right toward I 485 Outer North
1573 ft · 38 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway
2414 ft · 30 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway
-
9
Continue on H Allen Tate Jr Highway
7.9 mi · 8 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway
-
10
Continue on Craig Lawing Freeway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Craig Lawing Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard
2308 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
1.4 km · 2 min
-
13
Merge slight left
19.1 mi · 23 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
3242 ft · 50 sec
-
15
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
-
16
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
17
Continue on East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
-
18
Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.2 mi · 14 min · West Dixon Boulevard
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
895 ft · 34 sec
-
20
Turn left onto South Broadway Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Broadway Street
-
21
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
989 ft · 46 sec · East Main Street
-
22
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
17 m · 2 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Concord and Forest City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 South
Merge slight left
19.1 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Concord and Mostly Sunny near Forest City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Concord to Forest City?
The road trip is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km) and usually takes 01h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gastonia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.4 miles from Concord and 42.6 miles from Forest City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Concord and Mostly Sunny near Forest City.
Stop Ideas Near Gastonia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gastonia.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Spartanburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Concord and Forest City. Straight-line distance: 72.5 mi (116.67 km).
#1 Concord
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
| Population | 98,500 |
| Coordinates | 35.4088800, -80.5815800 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest City
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,138 |
| Coordinates | 35.3340100, -81.8651000 |
| Altitude | 309 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest City (-81.8651, 35.33401)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 137 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.88 | $23.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.29 | $26.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $14.33 | $28.67 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $16.87 | $33.74 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.