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Trip from Burlington, NC to Elizabeth City, NC

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

Drive Time

4h 20m

Distance

221.1 mi

356 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 7m ★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m

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

city in Pasquotank County and Camden County, North Carolina, United States

Elizabeth City, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 221.1-mile journey from Burlington to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major roadways like US 64, US 13, and I-40, with a significant 96% of the route being highway driving. Expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this trip. The drive offers a straightforward, efficient path through the Southeast region of North Carolina. With its manageable distance and duration, it's a convenient option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

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

110.5 miles from Burlington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 80 mi 1h 26m
US 13 40 mi 50m
I 40 30.3 mi 34m
US 17 21.7 mi 28m
I 87 16.8 mi 17m
Sam Hunt Freeway 14.3 mi 16m
I 440 9.2 mi 11m
Wade Avenue 3.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 80 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 70; NC 62

192 ft · 8 sec · South Church Street
2

Turn right onto NC 87; NC 100

2.1 mi · 2 min · West Webb Avenue
3

Continue on NC 87

0.3 mi · 27 sec · West Elm Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Harden Street
Use the left lane.
5

Enter roundabout onto NC 54

78 ft · 1 sec · East Harden Street
6

Continue on NC 54

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Harden Street
7

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec
8

Merge onto I 40; I 85

14 mi · 16 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

30 mi · 34 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728

3.1 mi · 3 min · Wade Avenue
Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
12

Merge onto I 440; US 1

9.2 mi · 11 min · I 440; US 1
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264

17 mi · 17 min · I 87; US 64; US 264
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

80 mi · 1 hr 26 min · US 64
16

Continue on US 13; US 17

40 mi · 50 min · US 13; US 17
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 17; NC 37

17 mi · 22 min · US 17; NC 37
Use the straight lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17

5.1 mi · 5 min · US 17
19

Turn left onto Providence Road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Providence Road
20

Arrive at destination

Providence Road

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 20-minute duration, starting your drive in Burlington in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have considerable flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 80 miles on US 64, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is a helpful budget point. This trip is well-suited for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.

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 110.5 miles from Burlington, NC, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 49 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 110.5 miles or 2h 7m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth City, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Burlington, 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 Burlington, NC

This is one driving day of about 221.1 miles and 4h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Burlington, 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 US 64 for about 80 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plain region North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rocky Mount, NC

111 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

Cary, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rocky Mount, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110.5 miles from Burlington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Montero's Restaurant, Bar and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabeth City, NC

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 221.1

Hours: 5–8 pm

+12523311067

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Durham, North Carolina

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.6

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Montero's Restaurant, Bar and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 221.1

Elizabeth City, NC

Hours: 5–8 pm

+12523311067

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12524435094

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 47.4

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 63.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.4

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.6

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.6

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 31.6

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

Universal Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12529373032

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 110.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 31.6

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 47.4

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Port Discover

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 221.1

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+12523386117

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 63.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 15.8

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Lake Lynn Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 47.4

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19199962911

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 63.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 61.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street

Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
3.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | NC 54 / East Harden Street

Enter roundabout onto NC 54 / East Harden Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
18.6 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
48.9 mi into trip | ~58m in | SR 1728 / Wade Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue
7
61.7 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.58 one way

$69.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $37.80 $75.61
premium $4.70 $40.92 $81.84
diesel $5.61 $48.82 $97.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.3 0 $23.22 $10.61
Efficient EV 55.3 0 $19.35 $8.84
EV Truck/SUV 88.4 1 $30.95 $14.15

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 17, 2026

Origin

Burlington, NC

Late night in Burlington on Sunday

Local time

12:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabeth City, NC

Late night in Elizabeth City on Sunday

Local time

12:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

5 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

4h 20m on the road

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

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, characterized by its efficiency and speed. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, covering a substantial 80 miles on US 64 without interruption. The high highway share of 96% means you'll experience consistent travel speeds for the majority of the trip. While the roads are designed for forward momentum, you can anticipate a consistent driving experience as you progress towards your destination. This isn't a winding backroad adventure but rather a direct connection between two points.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on US 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden 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 14 significant decision points across 221.1 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 2.4 miles (NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (NC 54 / East Harden Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Burlington, NC and Elizabeth City, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.

Wilson

61.7 mi in | ~1h 14m

Greenville

61.7 mi in | ~1h 14m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80 miles on US 64. 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 Elizabeth City, 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 2.4 miles (NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (NC 54 / East Harden Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Elizabeth City, 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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