If you are planning to travel from Wilson to Burlington, you can expect a 106.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. This trek stays entirely within the Southeast region of North Carolina, making it an efficient trip to complete in a single day. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, it is a budget-friendly option for those looking to traverse the state without the need for an overnight stay. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or break up the trip as you see fit. Ultimately, this local route offers a straightforward connection between these two cities for commuters or casual travelers alike.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from Wilson, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
25.7 mi
29m
US 264
23 mi
24m
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi
16m
South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi
12m
Raleigh Road Parkway West
6.4 mi
10m
Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
6m
New Raleigh Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Rolesville Road
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 25.7 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilson, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on Hines Street South
0.2 mi·20 sec·Hines Street South
2
Continue on Hines Street West
0.8 mi·1 min·Hines Street West
3
Continue on Raleigh Road Parkway West
6.4 mi·10 min·Raleigh Road Parkway West
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto US 264
23 mi·24 min·US 264
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
7
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft·7 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
8
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Rolesville Road
9
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Marks Creek Road
10
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Horton Road
11
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi·6 min·Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·23 sec
13
Merge onto I 540
15 mi·16 min·Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi·3 min·New Raleigh Highway
17
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi·12 min·South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
26 mi·29 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 148Toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel HillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto NC 54
0.7 mi·1 min·East Harden Street
21
Enter roundabout onto NC 49; NC 54
98 ft·1 sec·East Harden Street
22
Continue on NC 49; NC 54
0.9 mi·1 min·East Harden Street
23
Take the exit onto NC 87
2.3 mi·3 min·NC 87
24
Turn left onto South Worth Street
381 ft·21 sec·South Worth Street
25
Turn right onto West Front Street
449 ft·23 sec·West Front Street
26
Turn right onto US 70; NC 62
166 ft·3 sec·South Church Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 45-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Because you are relying on local roads like Rolesville Road, it is wise to keep an eye on your GPS to ensure you do not miss a turn during the navigation-heavy segments. With a total fuel budget of $17, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Wilson to avoid any unnecessary fuel stops along the way. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, consider planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours to ensure your time behind the wheel remains smooth. Taking a quick break before you hit the road is a smart way to stay refreshed for the constant turns ahead.
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 49.1 miles from Wilson, NC, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.7 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 22 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
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 Wilson, 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 Wilson, NC
This is one driving day of about 98.2 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Wilson, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 25.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.8 and 93.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.8 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward Rolesville Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
7
31 mi into trip|~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
6
54 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
93.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
$15.36 one way
$30.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.79
$33.58
premium
$4.70
$18.17
$36.35
diesel
$5.61
$21.68
$43.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.31
$4.71
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.59
$3.93
EV Truck/SUV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.28
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Wilson, NC
Late night
in Wilson on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, NC
Late night
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
4:10 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
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 3m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via Hines Street West, Raleigh Road Parkway West, and Rolesville Road, which keeps the experience grounded in local transit. Because the path relies on these specific local roads, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions throughout the 106.5-mile duration. This is not a monotonous stretch of pavement; instead, it demands your full attention as you transition between these smaller routes. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that focuses on local navigation rather than open-road cruising.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.7 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 98.2 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 30.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 54 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 98.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.7 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 30.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 54 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.
