How far is Burlington, NC from Wake Forest, NC?
The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Wake Forest, NC is about 56.8 miles (91.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.4 miles (84.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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 01h 16m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Wake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Wake Forest.
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1
Start on South Church Street
59 m · 9 sec · South Church Street
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2
Turn right onto West Webb Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Webb Avenue
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3
Continue on West Elm Street
1524 ft · 28 sec · West Elm Street
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4
Turn left onto West Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Harden Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
24 m · 1 sec · East Harden Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Harden Street
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7
Turn left
1207 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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10
Keep slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
4.3 mi · 5 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 885 South, US 70 East: Raleigh
1.5 mi · 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 Business West, NC 98: Durham, Wake Forest
1811 ft · 48 sec
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14
Turn left onto Holloway Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Holloway Street
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15
Continue on Wake Forest Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · Wake Forest Highway
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16
Continue on Durham Road
8.9 mi · 12 min · Durham Road
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17
Turn left onto Durham Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Durham Road
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18
Continue on South Avenue
801 ft · 29 sec · South Avenue
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East South Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · East South Avenue
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20
Exit the roundabout onto East South Avenue
116 m · 13 sec · East South Avenue
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21
Continue on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington and Wake Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Sam Hunt Freeway
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Burlington and Sunny near Wake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Wake Forest?
The road trip is about 56.8 miles (91.4 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.3 miles from Burlington and 28.5 miles from Wake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.4 miles (84.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.92 one way or $15.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Burlington and Sunny near Wake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Wake Forest. Straight-line distance: 52.47 mi (84.44 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 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wake Forest (-78.50972, 35.97987)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 91 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.92 | $15.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.86 | $17.72 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.56 | $19.11 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $11.25 | $22.50 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.