How far is Burlington, NC from Matthews, NC?

The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Matthews, NC is about 121.7 miles (195.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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
121.68 mi
02h 20m
Flight
98.95 mi
159.25 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
98.95 mi
Kilometers
159.25 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.68 mi
Kilometers
195.83 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 02h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Matthews
Thu, Apr 23, 5:56 AM EDT
Return by in Burlington
Thu, Apr 23, 8:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burlington
2026-04-23T03:35
Arrive Matthews
Thu, Apr 23, 5:56 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:50 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
Clinton
NC

City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States

From Burlington
60.8 mi
01h 10m
To Matthews
60.8 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Church Street

    59 m · 7 sec · South Church Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Webb Avenue

    809 ft · 25 sec · West Webb Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Fisher Street

    2275 ft · 48 sec · South Fisher Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto South Church Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · South Church Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Alamance Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Alamance Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro

    1180 ft · 29 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Sam Hunt Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

    5.4 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    70.3 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 485 Inner, I 485 Outer: Matthews, Huntersville

    1257 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 485 South Inner: Matthews

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway

    19.4 mi · 21 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway

    754 ft · 9 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Charlotte

    2935 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto East Independence Boulevard

    2363 ft · 50 sec · East Independence Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Matthews-Mint Hill Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Matthews-Mint Hill Road

  18. 18

    Continue on East Matthews Street

    656 ft · 20 sec · East Matthews Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Trade Street

    1077 ft · 26 sec · North Trade Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West John Street

    149 m · 19 sec · West John Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Freemont Street

    4 m · 1 sec · North Freemont Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Freemont Street

Car Route Details

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

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
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 Business South
75.6 mi · 62%
Governor James G Martin Freeway
19.5 mi · 16%
Sam Hunt Freeway
19 mi · 16%
South Church Street
1.35 mi · 1%
I 485 South Inner
1.31 mi · 1%
Alamance Road
1.21 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 85 Business South

Keep slight left

70.3 mi · 01h 16m

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
02h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.7 mi
99 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clinton
01h 10m from Burlington
Leave By
1:50 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Burlington and Sunny near Matthews.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 121.7 miles (195.8 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?

Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.8 miles from Burlington and 60.8 miles from Matthews.

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

The direct path is about 99 miles (159.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 1:50 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.99 one way or $33.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Burlington and Sunny near Matthews.

Stop Ideas Near Clinton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clinton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Salisbury

9 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

20 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
RAIL

Kannapolis

32 mi away
201 South Main St.
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

42 mi away
100 West 5th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Matthews. Straight-line distance: 98.95 mi (159.25 km).

Burlington

#1 Burlington

The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.

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

#2 Matthews

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population33,718
Coordinates35.1168100, -80.7236800
Altitude222
CountryUnited States
Start: Burlington (-79.4378, 36.09569)
End: Matthews (-80.72368, 35.11681)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 196 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.29 gal
16.25 L · about $16.99
Round trip
$33.99
8.58 gal · 32.5 L
Estimated CO2
38.1 kg one way
Round trip: 76.3 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $16.99 $33.99
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.00 $38.00
Premium $4.78 $20.50 $41.00
Diesel $5.62 $24.13 $48.25

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Burlington and Matthews. The current time is 03:35:33.

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.