How far is Burlington, NC from Shelby, NC?
The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Shelby, NC is about 152 miles (244.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.1 miles (209.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Shelby.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Shelby.
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1
Start on South Church Street
59 m · 7 sec · South Church Street
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2
Turn left onto West Webb Avenue
809 ft · 25 sec · West Webb Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South Fisher Street
2275 ft · 48 sec · South Fisher Street
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4
Turn straight onto South Church Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · South Church Street
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5
Turn left onto Alamance Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Alamance Road
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 40 West, I 85 South: Greensboro
1180 ft · 29 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
11.4 mi · 13 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
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8
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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10
Keep slight left
108 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
3242 ft · 50 sec
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12
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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13
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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14
Continue on East Dixon Boulevard
5.1 mi · 7 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto South Dekalb Street
1 mi · 3 min · South Dekalb Street
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16
Turn right onto Campbell Street
151 m · 25 sec · Campbell Street
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17
Turn right
32 m · 8 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington and Shelby.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
108 mi · 02h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Burlington and Partly Sunny near Shelby.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Shelby?
The road trip is about 152 miles (244.7 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
China Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76 miles from Burlington and 76.1 miles from Shelby.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.1 miles (209.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.9 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 12:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.27 one way or $42.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Burlington and Partly Sunny near Shelby.
Stop Ideas Near China Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to China Grove.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Shelby. Straight-line distance: 130.15 mi (209.45 km).
#1 Burlington
The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.
| Population | 55,599 |
| Coordinates | 36.0956900, -79.4378000 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shelby
City in and the county seat of Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 20,145 |
| Coordinates | 35.2923500, -81.5356500 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelby (-81.53565, 35.29235)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.78 | $47.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.66 | $51.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.