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Trip from Burlington, NC to Gastonia, NC

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

129.4 mi

208 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 21m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Alamance and Guilford counties, North Carolina, United States

Burlington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in North Carolina, United States

Gastonia, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Burlington, NC to Gastonia, NC covers 129.4 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 85, Sam Hunt Freeway, I 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.4 miles on I 85. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.24 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

64.7 miles from Burlington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 129.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 31m highway drive covering 129.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 85 and Sam Hunt Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.4 miles on I 85.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Sam Hunt Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.

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 13 significant decision points across 129.4 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 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro
6
14.7 mi into trip | ~19m 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.
8
22.4 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
6
27.7 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 85

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
127.1 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Take the exit toward NC 7: East Gastonia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 19 Toward NC 7: East Gastonia

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 99.4 mi 1h 52m
Sam Hunt Freeway 11.4 mi 13m
I 40 7.7 mi 9m
US 29 5.4 mi 5m
South Church Street 1.3 mi 3m
Alamance Road 1.2 mi 1m
East Long Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
East Ozark Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 99.4 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 70; NC 62

192 ft · 6 sec · South Church Street
2

Turn left onto NC 87; NC 100

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Webb Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 70; NC 62

0.4 mi · 48 sec · South Fisher Street
4

Turn straight onto US 70; NC 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Turn left onto NC 62

1.2 mi · 1 min · Alamance Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro
7

Merge onto I 40; I 85

11 mi · 13 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29

5.4 mi · 5 min · US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte Use the left lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

99 mi · 1 hr 52 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 19 Toward NC 7: East Gastonia Use the right lane.
12

Turn right onto NC 7

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on NC 7

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Long Avenue
14

Turn left onto North Broad Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274

0.5 mi · 54 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16

Arrive at destination

US 29; US 74; NC 274

Trip Plan

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 64.7 miles from Burlington, NC, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 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 28 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.7 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gastonia, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Burlington, 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 Burlington, NC

This is one driving day of about 129.4 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Burlington, 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 85 for about 99.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.7 mi from Burlington, NC · 1h 16m into the drive

city in North Carolina

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clinton, NC

65 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

Archdale, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Concord, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.7 miles from Burlington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.4 miles.

Arriving in Gastonia, NC

The final approach into Gastonia, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gastonia, NC.

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

Haraz Coffee House University

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 101.6

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19802072888

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kannapolis, North Carolina

2.7 mi

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 110.9

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 110.9

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House University

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 101.6

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19802072888

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.2

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17049251740

Visit website

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.2

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+17043039008

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.2

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

Editions - Coffee and Bookstore

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.2

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17049251406

Visit website

Coffee & Cream

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19807778222

Visit website

Canal Coffee Company

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+19804395013

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 9.2

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

+13365841115

Visit website

Ray’s Splash Planet

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 110.9

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19803144729

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 27.7

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

NASCAR Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 110.9

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17046544400

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 37

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 83.2

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 73.9

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 83.2

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+17049342320

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.24 one way

$40.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $22.13 $44.25
premium $4.70 $23.95 $47.90
diesel $5.61 $28.57 $57.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Nissan Charging Station

Burlington, North Carolina

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Burlington, North Carolina

EV Connect

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

Other

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

Blink

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Burlington, North Carolina

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

SocialEfforts – Triad Electric Vehicle Association

Glen Raven, North Carolina

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Graham, North Carolina

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Other: 4 ChargePoint: 2 EV Connect: 1 Blink: 1 Tesla Destination: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.8 0 $13.59 $6.21
Efficient EV 32.4 0 $11.32 $5.18
EV Truck/SUV 51.8 0 $18.12 $8.28

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 14, 2026

Origin

Burlington, NC

Evening in Burlington on Thursday

Local time

6:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gastonia, NC

Evening in Gastonia on Thursday

Local time

6:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

33 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 31m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Burlington, NC to Gastonia, NC covers 129.4 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, Sam Hunt Freeway, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.7 miles from Burlington, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 129.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Burlington, NC to Gastonia, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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