How far is Burlington, NC from Apex, NC?

The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Apex, NC is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
56.84 mi
00h 59m
Flight
41.35 mi
66.55 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Burlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.35 mi
Kilometers
66.55 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.84 mi
Kilometers
91.48 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Apex
Tue, May 12, 7:50 PM EDT
Return by in Burlington
Tue, May 12, 8:49 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burlington
2026-05-12T18:50
Arrive Apex
Tue, May 12, 7:50 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Burlington
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Carrboro
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Burlington
27.3 mi
00h 29m
To Apex
29.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NE
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Apex.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Apex.

  1. 1

    Start on South Church Street

    59 m · 9 sec · South Church Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Webb Avenue

    2.1 mi · 3 min · West Webb Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on West Elm Street

    1524 ft · 28 sec · West Elm Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Harden Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · West Harden Street

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street

    24 m · 1 sec · East Harden Street

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East Harden Street

  7. 7

    Turn left

    1207 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway

    14.3 mi · 17 min · Sam Hunt Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    20.8 mi · 24 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway, Sanford

    2083 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on NC 540 Toll South: Sanford

    1.1 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Continue on Triangle Expressway

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Triangle Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    894 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    2055 ft · 50 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on US 64 East: Apex

    1240 ft · 30 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 1 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 55: Apex, Durham

    1646 ft · 49 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Williams Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Hunter Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Hunter Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Salem Street

    1179 ft · 40 sec · North Salem Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington and Apex.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
20.8 mi · 37%
Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 25%
Triangle Expressway
10.9 mi · 19%
West Webb Avenue
2.05 mi · 4%
West Williams Street
1.06 mi · 2%
US 64 East
0.97 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

20.8 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
41.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carrboro
00h 29m from Burlington
Leave By
4:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Burlington and Mostly Sunny near Apex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Apex?

The road trip is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km) and usually takes 00h 59m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.3 miles from Burlington and 29.5 miles from Apex.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Burlington and Mostly Sunny near Apex.

Stop Ideas Near Carrboro

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Carrboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 6.7 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 8.5 mi away

Durham County Inspections Department

Durham , NC
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 3.5/5 15 reviews City government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 6 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill
Pompieri Pizza
Food stop 8.5 mi away

Pompieri Pizza

Durham , NC
102 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 4.5/5 916 reviews Pizza restaurant,Bar,Family restaurant,Neapolitan restaurant

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carrboro.

RAIL

Durham

18 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Cary

30 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

36 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Burlington

38 mi away
101 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Apex. Straight-line distance: 41.35 mi (66.55 km).

Burlington

#1 Burlington

The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.

Population55,599
Coordinates36.0956900, -79.4378000
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Apex

#2 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population64,388
Coordinates35.7326500, -78.8502900
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: South Church Street (-79.437732, 36.095621)
End: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 91 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.01 gal
7.59 L · about $7.96
Round trip
$15.92
4.02 gal · 15.18 L
Estimated CO2
17.9 kg one way
Round trip: 35.7 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.96 $15.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.90 $17.80
Premium $4.78 $9.60 $19.21
Diesel $5.62 $11.30 $22.61

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Carolina · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Burlington and Apex. The current time is 18:50:19.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.