How far is Waynesville, NC from Concord, NC?
The driving distance from Waynesville, NC to Concord, NC is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.6 miles (218.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m 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 02h 52m.
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.
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waynesville and Concord.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesville and Concord.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Main Street
16 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street
2331 ft · 41 sec · North Main Street
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5
Continue on Asheville Road
1882 ft · 32 sec · Asheville Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Asheville Road
34 m · 2 sec · Asheville Road
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7
Exit the rotary onto Asheville Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Asheville Road
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8
Take the ramp left
636 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
18.5 mi · 23 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg
22.8 mi · 28 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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18
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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19
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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20
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
572 ft · 8 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
1.3 km · 56 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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23
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
18.4 mi · 22 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Mallard Creek Church Road East
1645 ft · 42 sec
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25
Turn right onto West Mallard Creek Church Road
1.5 km · 2 min · West Mallard Creek Church Road
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26
Turn left onto North Tryon Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Tryon Street
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27
Continue on Concord Parkway South
6.7 mi · 10 min · Concord Parkway South
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28
Turn right onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1 mi · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cabarrus Avenue West
48 m · 3 sec · Cabarrus Avenue West
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30
Exit the roundabout onto Cabarrus Avenue West
1.4 km · 2 min · Cabarrus Avenue West
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31
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
125 m · 11 sec · Spring Street Southwest
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waynesville 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 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 Waynesville and Sunny near Concord.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waynesville to Concord?
The road trip is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Forest City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.6 miles from Waynesville and 82.3 miles from Concord.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.6 miles (218.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 12:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waynesville and Sunny near Concord.
Stop Ideas Near Forest City
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 Forest City.
Spartanburg
Gastonia
Greenville
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waynesville and Concord. Straight-line distance: 135.6 mi (218.22 km).
#1 Waynesville
City in North Carolina
| Population | 10,557 |
| Coordinates | 35.4887100, -82.9887500 |
| Altitude | 837 |
| 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: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.93 | $45.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.66 | $55.33 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.56 | $65.13 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.