If you are planning a trip from Burlington to Wilson, NC, expect a straightforward journey covering 105.6 miles. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should budget approximately $17 for fuel. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a consistent geographic climate throughout your travels. This trip is best approached as a simple point-to-point transit rather than a multi-day expedition. Having a reliable vehicle is key, as you will be navigating through local streets rather than cruising on high-speed highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Burlington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
30.3 mi
34m
US 264
22.3 mi
23m
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
West Webb Avenue
2.1 mi
2m
Downing Street Southwest
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 30.3 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, NC and Wilson, 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: RaleighUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728
3.1 mi·3 min·Wade Avenue
Exit 289Toward Wade AvenueUse 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, GreenvilleUse 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 right at fork onto US 264
22 mi·23 min·US 264
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 22
17
Keep slight right at fork
225 ft·5 sec
18
Turn straight onto Downing Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Downing Road
19
Continue on Downing Street Southwest
1.6 mi·3 min·Downing Street Southwest
20
Turn straight onto Goldsboro Street Southwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Goldsboro Street Southwest
21
At end of road, turn right onto Hines Street South
36 ft·0 sec·Hines Street South
22
Arrive at destination
Hines Street South
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable congestion that comes with local road driving. Since this route involves no pre-planned stops, take advantage of the 2-hour and 4-minute duration by fueling up in Burlington before you head out to avoid mid-route searches. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on streets like West Harden Street requires frequent turns that can be easy to miss in unfamiliar territory. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to easily adjust your arrival time if you encounter unexpected local traffic. Given the nature of this turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated and clear before you leave to keep your transit efficient and stress-free.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.8 miles from Burlington, NC, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.3 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 23 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilson, 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 105.6 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Burlington, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 30.3 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 15
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
$16.80 one way
$33.59 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$18.31
$36.63
premium
$4.78
$19.87
$39.74
diesel
$5.35
$22.24
$44.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.24
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.78
$6.76
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Burlington, NC
Evening
in Burlington on Wednesday
Local time
5:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 8 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wilson, NC
Evening
in Wilson on Wednesday
Local time
5:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph59% chanceLive 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
2 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
2h 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike the monotonous pace of an interstate, this 105.6-mile trek utilizes West Webb Avenue, West Elm Street, and West Harden Street to navigate your path. Because the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate frequent stops, traffic lights, and varying speed limits throughout the journey. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you will experience a constant change in scenery as you transition through local corridors. Expect a more hands-on driving experience where the road personality is defined by local infrastructure rather than open-road cruising.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.3 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 264. 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 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 15 significant decision points across 105.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
669 ft109 ft
Total Climb
196 ft
Total Descent
738 ft
Highest Point
669 ft
~15.1 mi in
Elevation Range
560 ft
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 Burlington, NC to Wilson, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Greenville
61.7 mi in|~1h 14m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cary, NC
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00; Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 06...
Wilson is a city in North Carolina that is home to a diverse collection of historic homes in its center city along beautiful tree-lined streets. Some say it has North Carolina's finest collection of bungalows. Wilson's arts scene is growing and is home to the Theater of the American South.
Top landmarks
•Branch Banking & Trust Company Building — historic building in Wilson, North Carolina, USA
•Wilson Central Business-Tobacco Warehouse Historic District — human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 105.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Wilson, 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wilson, NC before heading back.
