Origin
Waxhaw, NC
Afternoon in Waxhaw on Friday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waxhaw, NC to Burlington, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
134.2 mi
216 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waxhaw, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Burlington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Waxhaw, NC to Burlington, NC covers 134.2 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Jeff Gordon Expressway, I 85, Governor James G Martin Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.9 miles on Jeff Gordon Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.99 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
67.1 miles from Waxhaw, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 134.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 134.2 miles, with most of the trip on Jeff Gordon Expressway and I 85. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.9 miles on Jeff Gordon Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jeff Gordon Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jeff Gordon Expressway and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.4 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 17 significant decision points across 134.2 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 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
35.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward I 85: Spartanburg, Greensboro
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 30
Toward I 85: Spartanburg, Greensboro
7
35.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 North: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro
8
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
108 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
8
131 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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.
Between Waxhaw, NC and Burlington, NC, road signs point toward Greensboro and High Point.
Greensboro
35.4 mi in
|
~48m
High Point
75.1 mi in
|
~1h 34m
|
via I 85
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gordon Expressway | 38.9 mi | 43m |
| I 85 | 32.8 mi | 35m |
| Governor James G Martin Freeway | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| I 40 | 17.1 mi | 19m |
| Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South | 7 mi | 12m |
| US 29 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Waxhaw Indian Trail Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| South Church Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Jeff Gordon Expressway
— 38.9 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waxhaw, NC and Burlington, NC.
1
Start on NC 75
61 ft
·
5 sec
·
East South Main Street
2
Turn right onto NC 16
427 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Broome Street
3
Turn right onto McDonald Street
270 ft
·
5 sec
·
McDonald Street
4
Continue on Howie Mine Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Howie Mine Road
5
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
6
Enter roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
7
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
8
Enter roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
9
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
10
Enter roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
11
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
12
Turn left onto Old Monroe Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Monroe Road
13
Continue on East John Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East John Street
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 485 Outer North
15
Merge onto I 485
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Governor James G Martin Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 30
Toward I 85: Spartanburg, Greensboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 85
39 mi
·
43 min
·
Jeff Gordon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 143
Toward NC 62: Burlington Downtown, Alamance
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto NC 62
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Alamance Road
24
Turn slight right onto US 70; NC 62
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
US 70; NC 62
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 67.1 miles from Waxhaw, NC, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.9 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 30 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 miles or 1h 24m 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 11m
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 Waxhaw, 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 Waxhaw, NC
This is one driving day of about 134.2 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Waxhaw, 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 Jeff Gordon Expressway for about 38.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.1 mi from Waxhaw, NC · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.1 miles from Waxhaw, 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
$20.99 one way
$41.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.95 | $45.89 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.84 | $49.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.63 | $59.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.09 | $6.44 |
| Efficient EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.74 | $5.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Afternoon in Burlington on Friday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Concord, NC
67 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
18 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 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 Waxhaw, NC to Burlington, NC covers 134.2 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 Jeff Gordon Expressway, I 85, Governor James G Martin Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.1 miles from Waxhaw, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.99 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 17 significant decision points across 134.2 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 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waxhaw, NC and Burlington, NC, road signs point toward Greensboro and High Point.
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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