How far is Concord, NC from Franklin, NC?

The driving distance from Concord, NC to Franklin, NC is about 202.7 miles (326.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.6 miles (255.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
202.71 mi
04h 15m
Flight
158.67 mi
255.35 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Concord.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.67 mi
Kilometers
255.35 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
202.71 mi
Kilometers
326.23 km
Drive Time
04h 15m

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 04h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Wed, May 13, 3:32 AM EDT
Return by in Concord
Wed, May 13, 7:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Concord
2026-05-12T23:16
Arrive Franklin
Wed, May 13, 3:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:28 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Concord
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Columbus
NC

Town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States

From Concord
101.3 mi
02h 07m
To Franklin
101.5 mi
02h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph ENE
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Concord and Franklin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Concord and Franklin.

  1. 1

    Start on Spring Street Southwest

    125 m · 20 sec · Spring Street Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cabarrus Avenue West

    1.4 km · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cabarrus Avenue West

    26 m · 2 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West

    1 mi · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Concord Parkway South

    6.7 mi · 10 min · Concord Parkway South

  6. 6

    Continue on North Tryon Street

    1 mi · 2 min · North Tryon Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward I 485 Outer North

    1573 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway

    2414 ft · 30 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on H Allen Tate Jr Highway

    7.9 mi · 8 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Craig Lawing Freeway

    10.3 mi · 11 min · Craig Lawing Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard

    2308 ft · 56 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg

    1.4 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    19.1 mi · 23 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby

    3242 ft · 50 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on East Dixon Boulevard

    12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard

  18. 18

    Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard

    15.7 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard

  19. 19

    Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

    18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

    34.3 mi · 41 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40 West, US 74: Canton, Knoxville

    18.4 mi · 23 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta

    22 mi · 29 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 23 South, US 441 South: Dillsboro, Franklin, Atlanta

    2364 ft · 45 sec

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    16.5 mi · 23 min

  26. 26

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Northeast Main Street

    2239 ft · 58 sec · Northeast Main Street

  28. 28

    Continue on East Main Street

    1282 ft · 59 sec · East Main Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Iotla Street

    55 m · 8 sec · Iotla Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Iotla Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Concord and Franklin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
3 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
36.1 mi · 18%
US 74 West
22.6 mi · 11%
I 85 South
20 mi · 10%
I 40 West
18.4 mi · 9%
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 9%
US 23 South
17 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

34.3 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.1 mi
158.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbus
02h 07m from Concord
Leave By
8:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Concord and Mostly Sunny near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Concord to Franklin?

The road trip is about 202.7 miles (326.2 km) and usually takes 04h 15m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.3 miles from Concord and 101.5 miles from Franklin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 158.6 miles (255.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.32 one way or $56.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Concord and Mostly Sunny near Franklin.

Stop Ideas Near Columbus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Columbus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall of Tryon
Scenic stop 6.2 mi away

Town Hall of Tryon

Tryon , NC
301 N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Business park,Park
City of Saluda
Meeting point 10.9 mi away

City of Saluda

Saluda , NC
6 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office
Town of Lake Lure, Lake Operations Office
Nearby stop 10.8 mi away

Town of Lake Lure, Lake Operations Office

Lake Lure , NC
197 Buffalo Shoals Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Municipal administration office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Columbus.

RAIL

Spartanburg

41 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Greenville

48 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Clemson

85 mi away
Calhoun Memorial Hwy and College Ave.
RAIL

Gastonia

94 mi away
350 Hancock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Concord and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 158.67 mi (255.35 km).

Concord

#1 Concord

The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Population98,500
Coordinates35.4088800, -80.5815800
Altitude228
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population4,121
Coordinates35.1823200, -83.3815400
Altitude646
CountryUnited States
Start: Concord (-80.58158, 35.40888)
End: Franklin (-83.38154, 35.18232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 326 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.15 gal
27.08 L · about $28.32
Round trip
$56.64
14.3 gal · 54.16 L
Estimated CO2
63.5 kg one way
Round trip: 127.1 kg / 280 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.32 $56.64
Mid-grade $4.43 $31.67 $63.33
Premium $4.78 $34.16 $68.33
Diesel $5.62 $40.21 $80.42

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Concord and Franklin. The current time is 23:16:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.