Origin
Burlington, NC
Afternoon in Burlington on Friday
Local time
2:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burlington, NC to Morrisville, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58m
Distance
47.1 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burlington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Morrisville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 47.1-mile drive from Burlington, NC, to Morrisville, NC, is a straightforward 58-minute trip perfect for a single day. Primarily utilizing I-40 and Sam Hunt Freeway, this route offers a direct connection between two points within North Carolina's Southeast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $7, it's an economical option for a quick journey. You won't need to worry about overnight stays; this drive is designed for efficiency. Expect a highway-focused experience that gets you to your destination without much fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 47.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 84% of the journey taking place on major roads like I-40. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.2 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace. While West Webb Avenue provides a brief transition, the bulk of your time will be spent on faster-paced roads. This route prioritizes getting you from point A to point B efficiently, rather than showcasing winding backroads or varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Sam Hunt Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 47.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street
Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
18.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
7
43.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward Airport Boulevard West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284A
Toward Airport Boulevard West
8
44.1 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Airport Boulevard West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Airport Boulevard West
6
45.9 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
NC 54 / Chapel Hill Road
At end of road, turn left onto NC 54 / Chapel Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Burlington, NC to Morrisville, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Airport Boulevard West along the way.
Airport Boulevard West
43.9 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 25.2 mi | 29m |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| West Webb Avenue | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West Harden Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Harden Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Elm Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 25.2 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, NC and Morrisville, NC.
1
Start on US 70; NC 62
192 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Church Street
2
Turn right onto NC 87; NC 100
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Webb Avenue
3
Continue on NC 87
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Elm Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Harden Street
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto NC 54
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Harden Street
6
Continue on NC 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Harden Street
7
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
8
Merge onto I 40; I 85
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 284A
Toward Airport Boulevard West
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
294 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Airport Boulevard West
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Airport Boulevard
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Airport Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
At end of road, turn left onto NC 54
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn slight right
16 ft
·
0 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from Burlington, NC · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Burlington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Morrisville, NC
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Morrisville, NC if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.37 one way
$14.73 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.05 | $16.11 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.72 | $17.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.95 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Morrisville, NC
Afternoon in Morrisville on Friday
Local time
2:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Hillsborough, NC
24 mi in
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
6 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
58m 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 Morrisville, NC covers 47.1 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Sam Hunt Freeway, West Webb Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.5 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 $7.37 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 47.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Burlington, NC to Morrisville, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Airport Boulevard West along the way.
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.
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