Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Burnsville, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
249.5 mi
402 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Burnsville, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Raleigh to Burnsville is 249.5 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I-40 and NC 226, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region of Raleigh to the Southeast region of Burnsville. The drive is mostly on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a solid option for a single-day excursion.
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
124.8 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 140.1 mi | 2h 40m |
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 61.5 mi | 1h 11m |
| NC 226 | 15 mi | 22m |
| US 19E | 13.1 mi | 17m |
| Altapass Highway | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| Peppers Creek Road | 4.5 mi | 9m |
| Wade Avenue | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Western Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Burnsville, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East South Street
2
Turn left onto South Salisbury Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Salisbury Street
3
Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
4
Continue on Western Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Western Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto Gorman Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gorman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on Faircloth Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Faircloth Street
7
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Wade Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wade Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
120 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward NC 226: Marion, Shelby
14
Turn right onto NC 226
15 mi
·
22 min
·
NC 226
15
Continue on US 221
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 221
16
Turn left onto Peppers Creek Road
4.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Peppers Creek Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto Peppers Creek Road
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Peppers Creek Road
18
Turn right onto Altapass Highway
4.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Altapass Highway
19
Turn left onto US 19E
13 mi
·
17 min
·
US 19E
20
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto Town Square
504 ft
·
29 sec
·
Town Square
22
Turn right onto West Main Street
224 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Main Street
23
Turn right onto Academy Street
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
Academy Street
24
Arrive at destination
Academy Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Raleigh in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Burnsville with daylight to spare. You'll cover 140.1 miles on I-40 before needing to navigate other roads, so plan your first break accordingly. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Since this is a one-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to adjust your timing. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition to NC 226 to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.
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 124.8 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 29m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burnsville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC
This is one driving day of about 249.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Raleigh, 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 I 40 for about 140.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.8 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Westbound
1.9 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Eastbound
1.9 mi from route
McDowell County Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 89.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Gorman Street
Turn right onto Gorman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
4.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Wade Avenue
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.68 one way
$79.37 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $43.27 | $86.54 |
| premium | $4.78 | $46.94 | $93.89 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $52.55 | $105.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.20 | $11.98 |
| Efficient EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.83 | $9.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.93 | $15.97 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
N 6 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 4:03AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 4:03AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Burnsville, NC
Afternoon in Burnsville on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NNE 0 to 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 4:03AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 4:03AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
10 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
5h 7m 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 drive is predominantly highway, with 68% of the route being on major roads like I-40 and Dan K. Moore Freeway. You'll experience a long stretch of 140.1 miles on I-40 before transitioning to NC 226. Expect a steady pace for much of the drive, with the highway sections offering a consistent cruising experience. The shift to NC 226 will introduce a different feel as you move away from the interstate.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near Gorman Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 249.5 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 3.3 miles (Gorman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,823 ft
301 ft
Total Climb
2,882 ft
Total Descent
374 ft
Highest Point
2,823 ft
~249.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,522 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Raleigh, NC and Burnsville, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Shelby.
Statesville
89.9 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via I 40
Shelby
209.8 mi in
|
~4h 5m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
NC
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 05:00-20:30; Fr-Sa 05:00-21:00; Su...
Visit websitePetra Hookah Vape and Lounge West Market St
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Greensboro, NC
Cuisine: hookah;coffee;smoothie;tea;beer;wine
Hours: Mo-Su 14:00-02:00
Visit websiteCherries Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Third Place
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Raleigh, NC
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-12:00; Fr-Su 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
The Human Bean
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Morganton, NC
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Golden Corral
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.2 mi from route
Greensboro, NC
Cuisine: american;buffet
Hours: Mo-Th,Su 07:30-20:30; Fr-Sa 07:30-21:30
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Greensboro, NC
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Tu 08:30-21:30; We 08:00-21:30; Th-Fr...
Visit websiteWoody's at City Market
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Raleigh, NC
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-02:00
Visit websiteKobe of Japan
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Greensboro, NC
Cuisine: japanese
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Greensboro, NC
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 05:00-23:00
Visit websiteTaaza Indian Bistro
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Greensboro, NC
Cuisine: indian
Hours: Mo-Th 11:30-14:30, 17:00-22:00; Fr 11:30...
Visit websiteCascade Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Graham Municipal Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Robinson Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Clearwater Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Marion, NC
Otway Burns
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Rock Bridge
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Black Mountain Range
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Petal & Leaves
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Friends
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Stream
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Woodlawn Motel
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Marion, NC
Riverside Golf And RV Park
Caravan_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Morganton, NC
Fairfield Inn & Suites Morganton Historic Downtown
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Morganton, NC
Visit websiteClearwater Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Marion, NC
2907 Keeler Street
Guest_house
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Motel 6
Motel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Raleigh, NC
Full guide →Founded 1770
The capital of North Carolina and the largest city of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is the primary political and economic driver of the metro area. Indeed, business and politics are the main draws to Raleigh, which lacks the more trendy feel or active arts scene of Durham or Chapel Hill to the west. However, a concerted effort to expand the residential base and move events downtown has led to significantly expanded retail and restaurant options in the downtown core. Also, visitors will find many of the state's cultural institutions here, namely a major performing arts center downtown and three state museums, and a college town atmosphere in the neighborhood around the campus of North Carolina State University, the state's largest university.
Top landmarks
- • North Carolina Museum of Art — state art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina
- • North Carolina State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of North Carolina
- • Dorton Arena — arena in Raleigh, North Carolina
Arriving in Burnsville, NC
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Yancey County Courthouse — county courthouse in Burnsville, United States of America
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 5h 7m. Total distance: 249.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Burnsville, 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. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (Gorman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Burnsville, NC before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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