Origin
Mount Airy, NC
Late night in Mount Airy on Saturday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Airy, NC to Burlington, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
81.9 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Airy, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Burlington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mount Airy to Burlington is 81.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 41 minutes via I-40 and South Andy Griffith Parkway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward trip that's easy to accomplish in a single day, making it a convenient option for getting between these two locations. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41 miles from Mount Airy, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 81.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-40 and NC 74. Expect stretches of consistent speed and efficient travel, especially on I-40, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted segment of 26.7 miles. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of South Andy Griffith Parkway and NC 74 may offer slight variations in the driving experience as you approach your destination. Overall, it's designed for quick transit rather than winding scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 26.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and South Andy Griffith Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.3 miles in near NC 74.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 26.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 52.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
26.3 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
NC 74
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward NC 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 74 East
6
39.6 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 South: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53B
Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
8
52.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
6
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mount Airy, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.
Martinsville
52.1 mi in
|
~1h 2m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 26.7 mi | 32m |
| South Andy Griffith Parkway | 23.3 mi | 26m |
| NC 74 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Salem Parkway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| South Main Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| South Church Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Alamance Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Pine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 26.7 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Airy, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on West Pine Street
69 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Pine Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on South Main Street
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
4
Turn left onto US 52
23 mi
·
26 min
·
South Andy Griffith Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
13 mi
·
15 min
·
NC 74
Toward NC 74 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53B
Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
7
Merge onto US 421; NC 150
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 143
Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto NC 62
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Alamance Road
13
Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 41 minute duration, this is an easy same-day trip, offering flexibility for when you depart. You can leave Mount Airy in the morning and arrive in Burlington with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the longest stretch between services is 26.7 miles on I-40, it's advisable to ensure you have at least a half-tank of fuel before starting, especially if you plan to skip rest stops. Plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, though the highway nature of the route generally keeps things moving.
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 41 miles from Mount Airy, NC, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.7 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 49m 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 24m
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 Mount Airy, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Airy, NC
This is one driving day of about 81.9 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Mount Airy, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 26.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41 mi from Mount Airy, NC · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41 miles from Mount Airy, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.81 one way
$25.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.00 | $28.01 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.16 | $30.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.08 | $36.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.60 | $3.93 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.47 | $5.24 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Late night in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
3:58 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
16 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
1h 41m 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 Mount Airy, NC to Burlington, NC covers 81.9 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, South Andy Griffith Parkway, NC 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41 miles from Mount Airy, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.81 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.3 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 52.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mount Airy, NC to Burlington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Burlington, NC
More trips to Burlington, NC
Explore more options from Mount Airy, NC or browse trips ending in Burlington, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.