Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Burlington, NC to Huntersville, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

103.5 mi

167 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 54m ★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m

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 Alamance and Guilford counties, North Carolina, United States

Burlington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States of America

Huntersville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Burlington, NC to Huntersville, NC covers 103.5 miles and takes about 2h 2m 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 63.1 miles on I 85. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.19 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.

Midpoint

51.8 miles from Burlington, NC

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 103.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 2m highway drive covering 103.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 85 and Sam Hunt Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.1 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 19 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 63.1 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 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 14 significant decision points across 103.5 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 3.1 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 14 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.
8
90.9 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward NC 73: Davidson Highway, Huntersville

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 55 Toward NC 73: Davidson Highway, Huntersville

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 63.1 mi 1h 8m
Sam Hunt Freeway 11.4 mi 13m
I 40 7.7 mi 9m
Davidson Highway 6 mi 8m
US 29 5.4 mi 5m
Ramah Church Road 3.7 mi 6m
Sam Furr Road 1.9 mi 2m
South Church Street 1.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 63.1 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, NC and Huntersville, 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

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 55 Toward NC 73: Davidson Highway, Huntersville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on NC 73

6.0 mi · 8 min · Davidson Highway
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on NC 73

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sam Furr Road
14

Turn left onto Ramah Church Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · Ramah Church Road
15

Enter roundabout onto Ramah Church Road

133 ft · 2 sec · Ramah Church Road
16

Continue on Ramah Church Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Ramah Church Road
17

Turn left onto NC 115

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North Old Statesville Road
18

Keep slight right at fork onto NC 115

0.5 mi · 54 sec · North Old Statesville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

NC 115

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.8 miles from Burlington, NC, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 23 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51.8 miles or 1h 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntersville, 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 103.5 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Burlington, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 63.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 51.8 mi from Burlington, NC · 1h into the drive

city in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lexington, NC

52 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

Lexington, NC to Huntersville, NC

51 mi · 1h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Greensboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lexington, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.8 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 63.1 miles.

Arriving in Huntersville, NC

The final approach into Huntersville, 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 Huntersville, 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 Restaurant

Waterbean Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Huntersville, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103.5

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17044798888

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.7

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kannapolis, North Carolina

2.2 mi

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

2.1 mi

Waterbean Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103.5

Huntersville, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17044798888

Visit website

Verb Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17049604163

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.7

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 81.3

China Grove, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17048591844

Visit website

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 81.3

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+17043039008

Visit website

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.7

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 81.3

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17049251740

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 66.5

Salisbury, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19802480633

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 7.4

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

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

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 7.4

Burlington, North Carolina

+13365841115

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

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

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 22.2

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 29.6

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 81.3

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 88.7

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+17049342320

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 66.5

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 103.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17047099050

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 22.2

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.19 one way

$32.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.70 $35.39
premium $4.70 $19.16 $38.31
diesel $5.61 $22.85 $45.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31 0 $10.87 $4.97
Efficient EV 25.9 0 $9.06 $4.14
EV Truck/SUV 41.4 0 $14.49 $6.62

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 17, 2026

Origin

Burlington, NC

Night in Burlington on Friday

Local time

9:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Huntersville, NC

Night in Huntersville on Friday

Local time

9:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Lexington, NC

52 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 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 2m 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 Huntersville, NC covers 103.5 miles and takes about 2h 2m 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 51.8 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 $16.19 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.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 103.5 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.

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 Huntersville, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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 Huntersville, NC

Elizabeth City, NC 322.2 mi · 6h 17m Clayton, NC 175.3 mi · 3h 28m Graham, NC 104.6 mi · 2h 4m Kernersville, NC 79.8 mi · 1h 36m

More 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 Rocky Mount, NC 114.2 mi · 2h 12m Charlotte, NC 109.9 mi · 2h 8m

More trips to Huntersville, NC

Holly Springs, NC 298.4 mi Leland, NC 201 mi Henderson, NC 172.9 mi Cary, NC 152.3 mi Hope Mills, NC 140.6 mi Lumberton, NC 136 mi
Weekend drives from Burlington, NC Scenic drives in NC

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.