This 347-mile journey from Asheville to Burgaw, North Carolina, is an achievable day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 40 minutes. You'll be covering 99% of this drive on highways, making it a focused, efficient route. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $56. While it's a solid single-day option, you could also break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing the diverse landscapes of North Carolina.
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
173.5 miles from Asheville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
244 mi
4h 32m
US 421
38.8 mi
46m
US 64
32 mi
42m
Triangle Expressway
22 mi
23m
Billy Graham Freeway
4.8 mi
6m
NC 53
1.8 mi
2m
East Bridges Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Merrimon Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 244 mi, about 4h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Asheville, NC and Burgaw, NC.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Marcellus Street
130 ft·8 sec·Marcellus Street
3
Turn right onto US 25
0.1 mi·33 sec·Merrimon Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 240; US 70; US 74A
3.7 mi·5 min·Billy Graham Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 240
1.1 mi·1 min·Billy Graham Freeway
7
Merge onto I 40
158 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
12 mi·13 min·US 421
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 126Toward US 421: SanfordUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi·32 min·US 421
Exit 126AToward US 421 South: SanfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 171Toward US 64: Siler City, PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi·15 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi·27 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll SouthUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi·23 min·Triangle Expressway
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
17
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi·53 sec·I 40
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 40
85 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward NC 53: Burgaw, Jacksonville
21
Turn left onto NC 53
1.8 mi·2 min·NC 53
22
Turn straight onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Bridges Street
23
Turn left onto US 117 Business; NC 53
307 ft·7 sec·North Walker Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 117 Business; NC 53
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 7 hours, this route is well-suited for a single day. Aim to depart early from Asheville to maximize daylight and arrive in Burgaw with ample time. Given the significant highway mileage, plan for one or two fuel and rest stops, as the longest stretch without a major change in road type is 244 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest segment on I-40, to avoid unnecessary delays. The $56 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for this trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.5 miles from Asheville, NC, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244 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 76 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.5 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burgaw, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Asheville, 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 Asheville, NC
This is one driving day of about 347.1 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Asheville, 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 I 40 for about 244 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 162.9 and 257.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
162.9 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...
7
175.1 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
8
175.4 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
8
201.7 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
8
257.7 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.28 one way
$108.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$59.35
$118.70
premium
$4.70
$64.24
$128.48
diesel
$5.61
$76.64
$153.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.1
1
$36.45
$16.66
Efficient EV
86.8
0
$30.37
$13.88
EV Truck/SUV
138.8
1
$48.59
$22.21
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Asheville, NC
Night
in Asheville on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
S 3 to 8 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Burgaw, NC
Night
in Burgaw on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
35 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
6h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 347.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this route, with 99% of your travel on major roads like I-40, US-421, and US-64. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 244 miles, primarily on I-40. This means you'll experience consistent speeds for extended periods, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours off the main path. The road character is largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel between your origin and destination.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 162.9 miles in near US 421.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 347.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 162.9 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.1 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.4 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,132 ft48 ft
Total Climb
60 ft
Total Descent
2,143 ft
Highest Point
2,132 ft
Elevation Range
2,083 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Asheville, NC and Burgaw, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro and Wilmington.
Durham
162.9 mi in|~3h 7m|via US 421
Pittsboro
201.7 mi in|~3h 53m
Wilmington
259.5 mi in|~5h 4m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 347.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244 miles on I 40. 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 Burgaw, 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 162.9 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.1 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.4 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Burgaw, NC before the return drive.
