Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Monroe, 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 27m

Distance

124.4 mi

200 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 17m ★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Union County, North Carolina, United States

Monroe, NC

Wikimedia Commons

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

Burlington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Monroe, NC to Burlington, NC is 124.4 miles and takes about 2 hours 27 minutes via I 85 and US 601, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day drive that keeps you within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip where you want to maximize your time at your destination. Plan for a day where you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, making for an efficient journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

62.2 miles from Monroe, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 36.6 mi 39m
Concord Highway 30.9 mi 38m
US 601 25.4 mi 29m
I 40 17.1 mi 19m
US 29 5.9 mi 6m
Concord Parkway North 3.4 mi 4m
Skyway Drive 2 mi 2m
South Church Street 1.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 36.6 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NC 207

2.0 mi · 2 min · Skyway Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Continue on US 601

31 mi · 38 min · Concord Highway
Use the straight lane.
3

Take the exit onto US 601; NC 73 Truck

0.1 mi · 19 sec · US 601; NC 73 Truck
4

Merge onto US 29; US 601; NC 73 Truck

3.4 mi · 4 min · Concord Parkway North
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit onto US 601

25 mi · 28 min · US 601
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

33 mi · 35 min · I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

5.9 mi · 6 min · US 29
Toward US 29, US 70 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

17 mi · 19 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Exit 143 Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto NC 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · Alamance Road
12

Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Arrive at destination

US 70; NC 62

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip at just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning would allow you to avoid the earliest rush and still arrive with ample daylight. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you notice your fuel gauge getting low, as the estimated fuel cost is $19. Keep an eye on your GPS for any potential traffic on I 85, which can be a busy corridor, especially during peak commuting hours.

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 62.2 miles from Monroe, NC, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 27 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.2 miles or 1h 15m 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 58m

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 Monroe, 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 Monroe, NC

This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Monroe, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 36.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Concord, NC

62 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.

Popular next leg

Concord, NC to Burlington, NC

91.2 mi · 1h 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Concord, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clinton, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.2 miles from Monroe, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Coffee Stop

Sorella Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monroe, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

0.8 mi

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

1.1 mi

Sorella Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Monroe, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.4

China Grove, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17048591844

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 53.3

Salisbury, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19802480633

Visit website

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.4

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+17043039008

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 124.4

Burlington, North Carolina

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 115.6

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 124.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 124.4

Burlington, North Carolina

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 124.4

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 124.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 115.6

Burlington, North Carolina

+13365841115

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 124.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 53.3

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 97.8

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 88.9

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 124.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 44.4

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 35.6

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+17049342320

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 97.8

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 88.9

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 36.3 and 121.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
36.3 mi into trip | ~46m in | US 601

Take the exit onto US 601 toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro

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. Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
8
65.4 mi into trip | ~1h 18m 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
98.2 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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
104.1 mi into trip | ~2h 1m 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
121.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m 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

$19.45 one way

$38.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $21.27 $42.54
premium $4.70 $23.02 $46.05
diesel $5.61 $27.47 $54.93

Estimated Tolls: $0.14

Skyway Drive (2 mi) $0.14

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.3 0 $13.06 $5.97
Efficient EV 31.1 0 $10.89 $4.98
EV Truck/SUV 49.8 0 $17.42 $7.96

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 15, 2026

Origin

Monroe, NC

Late night in Monroe on Sunday

Local time

12:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burlington, NC

Late night in Burlington on Sunday

Local time

12:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Concord, NC

62 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

7 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 27m 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?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 71% of it on major roadways. You'll encounter stretches on I 85, Concord Highway, and US 601, offering a consistent pace for most of the 124.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 36.6 miles, primarily on I 85, which means you can settle in for a decent period without frequent exits. Expect a driving personality that prioritizes efficiency over winding country roads, making it a predictable and steady trip.

71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.6 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Concord Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.3 miles in near US 601.

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 9 significant decision points across 124.4 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 36.3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.4 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 miles (US 29): 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 Monroe, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.

High Point

65.4 mi in | ~1h 18m | via I 85

About the Cities

Starting in Monroe, NC

Full guide →

Monroe is a small city in North Carolina. It is in Union County, on U.S. Highway 74. It has a close association with Charlotte, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Monroe's population is slightly under 27,000. It used to be populated mostly by White and African-Americans; however, the city's Hispanic population has spiked dramatically.

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 27m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 36.6 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.14 in tolls one way, starting with Skyway Drive. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 36.3 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.4 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 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.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Burlington, NC

Elizabeth City, NC 221.1 mi · 4h 20m Elizabeth City, NC 149.6 mi · 2h 55m Winterville, NC 142.2 mi · 2h 46m Boone, NC 134.2 mi · 2h 49m

More from Monroe, NC

City of Greenville, NC 225.2 mi · 4h 33m Asheville, NC 149 mi · 3h 6m Apex, NC 131.6 mi · 2h 51m Fayetteville, NC 106 mi · 2h 29m Gastonia, NC 46.7 mi · 1h 4m Concord, NC 32.6 mi · 42m

More trips to Burlington, NC

Asheville, NC 192.8 mi Leland, NC 191.7 mi Kings Mountain, NC 138.9 mi Greenville, NC 134.4 mi Boone, NC 134.1 mi Roanoke Rapids, NC 118.6 mi
Escape planner: Monroe, NC Scenic drives in NC

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.