Spanning 138.9 miles across the North Carolina Southeast, this drive connects Kings Mountain to Burlington in approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. It serves as an efficient one-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting about $22 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. You will primarily utilize I-85, the Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, and the Cameron Morrison Bridge to reach your destination. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the route offers a straightforward path through the region.
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
69.5 miles from Kings Mountain, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kings Mountain, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on this road
86 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NC 216
0.3 mi·36 sec·North Piedmont Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 74 East: Gastonia
4
Merge onto US 74
1.3 mi·1 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 85
18 mi·21 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 85
59 mi·1 hr 8 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
33 mi·35 min·I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High PointUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
5.9 mi·6 min·US 29
Toward US 29, US 70Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
17 mi·19 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 143Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, AlamanceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto NC 62
1.3 mi·2 min·Alamance Road
14
Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62
1.6 mi·3 min·South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
Trip Plan
Since this journey is manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 2-hour and 42-minute transit, ensuring you stay refreshed behind the wheel. Given the $22 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your levels before merging onto I-85 to avoid unnecessary mid-trip stops. If you find yourself hitting heavy traffic, remember that the route's mix of roads allows for minor adjustments to your speed. Keep your eyes on the road during the 59.4-mile stretch on the Cameron Morrison Bridge, as this is your longest continuous segment where pace remains most consistent.
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 69.5 miles from Kings Mountain, NC, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 10m
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 Kings Mountain, 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 Kings Mountain, NC
This is one driving day of about 138.9 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Kings Mountain, 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 Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 59.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 135.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
112.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29, US 70
6
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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.
8
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
$21.72 one way
$43.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.75
$47.50
premium
$4.70
$25.71
$51.41
diesel
$5.61
$30.67
$61.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.7
0
$14.58
$6.67
Efficient EV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.45
$8.89
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Kings Mountain, NC
Late night
in Kings Mountain on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Burlington, NC
Late night
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph0% 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
1 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
2h 42m 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?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances steady highway speeds with local highway segments. With about 40% of the trip spent on major highways, you will encounter a shift in pace throughout the 138.9-mile journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 59.4 miles while navigating the Cameron Morrison Bridge, providing a significant portion of the drive's momentum. As you transition between the interstate and regional highways, the road's personality changes, keeping the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns fluctuate, requiring you to stay attentive as you progress toward Burlington.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.4 mi on Cameron Morrison Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 138.9 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 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,001 ft603 ft
Total Climb
186 ft
Total Descent
584 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
Elevation Range
399 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 Kings Mountain, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.
High Point
79.8 mi in|~1h 33m|via I 85
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 138.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.4 miles on Cameron Morrison Bridge. 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 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burlington, NC before heading back.
