Roanoke Rapids, NC to Burlington, NC is 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 21m via I 85 and US 1, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes place within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it a convenient option if you're looking for an efficient journey between these two points. Given its manageable length and the focus on major roads, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Roanoke Rapids, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
71.7 mi
1h 20m
Julian R Allsbrook Highway
24.2 mi
28m
US 1
8.7 mi
10m
US 158 Bypass
5.1 mi
5m
NC 87
2.3 mi
3m
Roanoke Avenue
1.6 mi
4m
East Harden Street
1.6 mi
2m
West Littleton Road
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 71.7 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke Rapids, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on NC 48
1.6 mi·4 min·Roanoke Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 158
1.4 mi·1 min·West Littleton Road
3
Continue on US 158
24 mi·28 min·Julian R Allsbrook Highway
4
Continue on US 158 Bypass
5.1 mi·5 min·US 158 Bypass
5
Continue on US 158; US 401
1.2 mi·1 min·US 158; US 401
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158
8.7 mi·10 min·US 1; US 158
7
Turn right onto Flemingtown Road
0.2 mi·11 sec·Flemingtown Road
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
9
Merge onto I 85
1.9 mi·2 min·I 85
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
44 mi·48 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
26 mi·29 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 148Toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel HillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto NC 54
0.7 mi·1 min·East Harden Street
14
Enter roundabout onto NC 49; NC 54
98 ft·1 sec·East Harden Street
15
Continue on NC 49; NC 54
0.9 mi·1 min·East Harden Street
16
Take the exit onto NC 87
2.3 mi·3 min·NC 87
17
Turn left onto South Worth Street
381 ft·21 sec·South Worth Street
18
Turn right onto West Front Street
449 ft·23 sec·West Front Street
19
Turn right onto US 70; NC 62
166 ft·3 sec·South Church Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
Trip Plan
For this relatively short trip of 118.6 miles, starting your drive in the morning is ideal, allowing for a comfortable arrival in Burlington, NC, well before evening. With a duration of just over 2 hours, you likely won't need extensive breaks, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch without exits is on I 85. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have enough gas before embarking on the 71.7-mile segment on I 85, as services might be more spaced out during that portion. Your estimated fuel cost is around $19, which is quite economical for this distance.
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 59.3 miles from Roanoke Rapids, NC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.7 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 12m 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 54m
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 Roanoke Rapids, 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 Roanoke Rapids, NC
This is one driving day of about 118.6 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Roanoke Rapids, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 71.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.5 and 115.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
33.5 mi into trip|~41m in|US 1; US 158
At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158
Navigation decision point
6
44.5 mi into trip|~55m in|I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
5
115.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|NC 49; NC 54 / East Harden Street
Enter roundabout onto NC 49; NC 54 / East Harden Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.55 one way
$37.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.28
$40.56
premium
$4.70
$21.95
$43.90
diesel
$5.61
$26.19
$52.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.38
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 20, 2026
Origin
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Late night
in Roanoke Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, NC
Late night
in Burlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
17 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 21m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is largely a highway-focused drive, with about 75% of the route utilizing major highways like I 85. You'll experience a significant stretch of 71.7 miles on I 85 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The initial part of the drive may involve local roads like Julian R Allsbrook Highway before merging onto the interstate system. Expect a predominantly fast-paced experience on the interstate, with fewer opportunities for leisurely stops until you approach your destination.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.7 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Julian R Allsbrook Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.5 miles in near US 1; US 158.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 118.6 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 33.5 miles (US 1; US 158): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 118.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.7 miles on I 85. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.5 miles (US 1; US 158): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles (I 85; US 70): 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 Burlington, NC before heading back.
