How far is Cullowhee, NC from Concord, NC?
The driving distance from Cullowhee, NC to Concord, NC is about 186.7 miles (300.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cullowhee and Concord.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cullowhee and Concord.
-
1
Start on Old Cullowhee Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Old Cullowhee Road
-
2
Turn right
2.9 mi · 6 min
-
3
Take the exit slight right
89 m · 9 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Asheville Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Asheville Highway
-
5
Continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
21.3 mi · 28 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
18.5 mi · 23 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg
22.8 mi · 28 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
-
11
Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
-
12
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
-
14
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
15
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
-
16
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
572 ft · 8 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
1.3 km · 56 sec
-
18
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
-
19
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
18.4 mi · 22 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
1645 ft · 42 sec
-
21
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
1.5 km · 2 min · West Mallard Creek Church Road
-
22
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Tryon Street
-
23
Continue on Concord Parkway South
6.7 mi · 10 min · Concord Parkway South
-
24
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1 mi · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
-
25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cabarrus Avenue West
48 m · 3 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West
-
26
Exit the roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.4 km · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
-
27
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
125 m · 11 sec · Spring Street Southwest
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cullowhee and Concord.
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 26 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg
22.8 mi · 00h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cullowhee and Sunny near Concord.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cullowhee to Concord?
The road trip is about 186.7 miles (300.5 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Rutherfordton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.1 miles from Cullowhee and 93.6 miles from Concord.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.10 one way or $52.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cullowhee and Sunny near Concord.
Stop Ideas Near Rutherfordton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall of Tryon
Town of Rutherfordton
Chesnee City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rutherfordton.
Spartanburg
Greenville
Gastonia
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cullowhee and Concord. Straight-line distance: 146.36 mi (235.55 km).
#1 Cullowhee
Township in Jackson County, North Carolina
| Population | 6,228 |
| Coordinates | 35.3137100, -83.1765300 |
| Altitude | 645 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Concord
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
| Population | 98,500 |
| Coordinates | 35.4088800, -80.5815800 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spring Street Southwest (-80.581621, 35.408832)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 300 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.10 | $52.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.19 | $58.37 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.49 | $62.97 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.06 | $74.12 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.