Trip from Asheville, NC to Burlington, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

192.8 mi

310 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 33m ★

6 AM

3h 46m

8 AM

4h 11m

10 AM

3h 55m

12 PM

3h 52m

3 PM

3h 56m

5 PM

4h 10m

8 PM

3h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Alamance and Guilford counties, North Carolina, United States

Burlington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 192.8-mile drive from Asheville to Burlington, North Carolina, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. With a highway share of 98%, you'll be spending most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward journey through the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, which is quite reasonable for this distance. This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, perfect if you're looking for efficiency and don't need to break up the journey with overnight stays. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

96.4 miles from Asheville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	184.5 mi	3h 31m
Billy Graham Freeway	4.8 mi	6m
South Church Street	1.6 mi	3m
Alamance Road	1.3 mi	2m
Merrimon Avenue	0.1 mi	<1m
Marcellus Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 184.5 mi, about 3h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Asheville, NC and Burlington, NC.

Start on this road

45 ft · 8 sec · this road

Turn left onto Marcellus Street

130 ft · 8 sec · Marcellus Street

Turn right onto US 25

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Merrimon Avenue

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 240; US 70; US 74A

3.7 mi · 5 min · Billy Graham Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 240

1.1 mi · 1 min · Billy Graham Freeway

Merge onto I 40

158 mi · 2 hr 59 min · I 40

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 40

Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 40; US 29; US 220

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

17 mi · 19 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Exit 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto NC 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · Alamance Road

Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Church Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

US 70; NC 62

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 45-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, so you can leave whenever suits you best. You'll cover 192.8 miles, with the longest stretch being 184.5 miles on I-40, so plan for one substantial stop roughly midway if needed, though the fuel cost of around $30 is quite manageable. Keep an eye on the road signs for transitions between Billy Graham Freeway and I-40, as these are the primary arteries for this journey. Since it’s a highway-heavy route, be mindful of potential traffic, especially during peak commuting hours near larger towns.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 96.4 miles from Asheville, NC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.5 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 42 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.4 miles or 1h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, 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 192.8 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 184.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Taylorsville, NC

96 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Salem, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Taylorsville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Asheville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 184.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 189.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Marcellus Street

Turn left onto Marcellus Street

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

162.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

172.4 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

189.6 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in

Take the exit toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.15 one way

$60.30 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$32.97	$65.93
premium	$4.70	$35.68	$71.37
diesel	$5.61	$42.57	$85.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	57.8	$20.24	$9.25
Efficient EV	48.2	$16.87	$7.71
EV Truck/SUV	77.1	$26.99	$12.34

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Asheville, NC

Night in Asheville on Saturday

Local time

10:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

W 7 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Burlington, NC

Night in Burlington on Saturday

Local time

10:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

73°F

Taylorsville, NC

96 mi in

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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 45m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-40 and Billy Graham Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 184.5 miles primarily on I-40, meaning consistent speeds and minimal distractions. The road maintains a highway personality throughout, offering a predictable and direct path between Asheville and Burlington. This type of drive is ideal if your priority is covering ground efficiently, as it minimizes time spent navigating local traffic or slower roads.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 184.5 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Billy Graham Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Marcellus Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 192.8 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: near the start (Marcellus Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 162.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Asheville, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.

Martinsville

162.9 mi in | ~3h 7m | via I 40

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 192.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 184.5 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 Burlington, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Burlington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Asheville, NC or browse trips ending in Burlington, NC.

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Trip from Asheville, NC to Burlington, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Asheville, NC

Burlington, NC

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 45m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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