Origin
Greenville, NC
Late night in Greenville on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greenville, 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
2h 41m
Distance
134.4 mi
216 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greenville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Burlington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 134.4-mile drive from Greenville, NC, to Burlington, NC, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 41 minutes. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You'll be spending a good portion of your time on major highways, making for an efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. This route stays within the Southeast region, specifically North Carolina, offering a familiar and accessible drive.
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
67.2 miles from Greenville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John P East Memorial Highway | 32.8 mi | 35m |
| I 587 | 29.8 mi | 31m |
| I 85 | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| South Miami Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Buffaloe Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| New Raleigh Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Stantonsburg Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
John P East Memorial Highway
— 32.8 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenville, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on South Summit Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Summit Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Street
3
Turn left onto South Evans Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Evans Street
4
Turn right onto West 10th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10th Street
5
Continue on Farmville Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Farmville Boulevard
6
Continue on Stantonsburg Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Stantonsburg Road
7
Continue on I 587
33 mi
·
35 min
·
John P East Memorial Highway
8
Merge onto I 587; I 795; US 264
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 587; I 795; US 264
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
10
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
11
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Rolesville Road
12
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Marks Creek Road
13
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Horton Road
14
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
16
Merge onto I 540
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
New Raleigh Highway
20
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
26 mi
·
29 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 148
Toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto NC 54
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Harden Street
24
Enter roundabout onto NC 49; NC 54
98 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Harden Street
25
Continue on NC 49; NC 54
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Harden Street
26
Take the exit onto NC 87
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
NC 87
27
Turn left onto South Worth Street
381 ft
·
21 sec
·
South Worth Street
28
Turn right onto West Front Street
449 ft
·
23 sec
·
West Front Street
29
Turn right onto US 70; NC 62
166 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Church Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour and 41-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day at your destination or departing mid-afternoon to avoid potential commuter traffic closer to Burlington. With only one recommended stop, you can easily plan your break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a clear break is over 30 miles, and factor in the $21 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.2 miles from Greenville, NC, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.8 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.2 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, NC
This is one driving day of about 134.4 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Greenville, 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 John P East Memorial Highway for about 32.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.2 miles from Greenville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 130.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 5th Street
At end of road, turn right onto East 5th Street
Navigation decision point
7
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
6
90.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 70 West: Durham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 70 West: Durham
6
104.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 85; US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
130.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
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 148
Toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.02 one way
$42.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.98 | $45.96 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.87 | $49.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.67 | $59.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.11 | $6.45 |
| Efficient EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.76 | $5.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.82 | $8.60 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Burlington, NC
Late night in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
1 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 41m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 54% of it being on highways. While there are stretches of faster-paced interstate travel, you'll also navigate other main roads like John P East Memorial Highway and I-587. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 32.8 miles on John P East Memorial Highway, offering a chance to settle in. The road character shifts, providing a varied driving experience rather than a monotonous journey.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.8 mi on John P East Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East 5th Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 134.4 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 0.2 miles (East 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Greenville, NC
Full guide →Greenville, one of the fastest growing cities in North Carolina, is the county seat of Pitt County, and is the principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is known as the cultural, economical, and educational hub of North Carolina's Inner Banks, the geographical area east of Raleigh and west of the North Carolina coast.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 134.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.8 miles on John P East Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burlington, NC before heading back.
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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