Origin
Kings Mountain, NC
Afternoon in Kings Mountain on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kings Mountain, NC to Burlington, NC
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
138.9 mi
224 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Kings Mountain, NC
Anna McDonald
Burlington, NC
Troy Tumbin
Trip Overview
Spanning 138.9 miles across the North Carolina Southeast, this drive connects Kings Mountain to Burlington in approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. It serves as an efficient one-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting about $22 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. You will primarily utilize I-85, the Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, and the Cameron Morrison Bridge to reach your destination. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the route offers a straightforward path through the region.
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
69.5 miles from Kings Mountain, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances steady highway speeds with local highway segments. With about 40% of the trip spent on major highways, you will encounter a shift in pace throughout the 138.9-mile journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 59.4 miles while navigating the Cameron Morrison Bridge, providing a significant portion of the drive's momentum. As you transition between the interstate and regional highways, the road's personality changes, keeping the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns fluctuate, requiring you to stay attentive as you progress toward Burlington.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cameron Morrison Bridge is the longest continuous segment at about 59.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 138.9 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 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
79.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
112.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29, US 70
6
118.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
135.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance
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 143
Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Kings Mountain, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.
High Point
79.8 mi in
|
~1h 33m
|
via I 85
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 59.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 85 | 32.8 mi | 35m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| I 40 | 17.1 mi | 19m |
| US 29 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| South Church Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Alamance Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Cameron Morrison Bridge
— 59.4 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kings Mountain, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on this road
86 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NC 216
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Piedmont Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 74 East: Gastonia
4
Merge onto US 74
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 85
59 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29, US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 143
Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto NC 62
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Alamance Road
14
Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
Trip Plan
Since this journey is manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 2-hour and 42-minute transit, ensuring you stay refreshed behind the wheel. Given the $22 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your levels before merging onto I-85 to avoid unnecessary mid-trip stops. If you find yourself hitting heavy traffic, remember that the route's mix of roads allows for minor adjustments to your speed. Keep your eyes on the road during the 59.4-mile stretch on the Cameron Morrison Bridge, as this is your longest continuous segment where pace remains most consistent.
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 69.5 miles from Kings Mountain, NC, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 10m
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 Kings Mountain, 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 Kings Mountain, NC
This is one driving day of about 138.9 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kings Mountain, 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 Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 59.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.5 mi from Kings Mountain, NC · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.5 miles from Kings Mountain, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Burlington, NC
The final approach into Burlington, 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 Burlington, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.23 one way
$44.46 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $24.22 | $48.44 |
| premium | $4.78 | $26.13 | $52.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.86 | $61.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.58 | $6.67 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.45 | $8.89 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Burlington, NC
Afternoon in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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 42m 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 Kings Mountain, NC to Burlington, NC covers 138.9 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cameron Morrison Bridge, I 85, Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.5 miles from Kings Mountain, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.23 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 12 significant decision points across 138.9 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 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Kings Mountain, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward High Point along the way.
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