How far is Burlington, NC from Waxhaw, NC?

The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Waxhaw, NC is about 135 miles (217.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.2 miles (175.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m 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
134.98 mi
02h 43m
Flight
109.26 mi
175.84 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
109.26 mi
Kilometers
175.84 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
134.98 mi
Kilometers
217.23 km
Drive Time
02h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waxhaw
Thu, Apr 23, 2:06 AM EDT
Return by in Burlington
Thu, Apr 23, 4:49 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burlington
2026-04-22T23:23
Arrive Waxhaw
Thu, Apr 23, 2:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:04 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
East Spencer
NC

City in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Burlington
67.5 mi
01h 21m
To Waxhaw
67.5 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Tonight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 PM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph W
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2790 ft · 34 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East: Monroe

    1337 ft · 44 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto East Independence Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Independence Boulevard

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Independence Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Independence Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Indian Trail Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Indian Trail Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Traffic Circle

    32 m · 2 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

  21. 21

    Exit the rotary onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

    1720 ft · 36 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

    38 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South

    39 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South

    4.4 mi · 8 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South

  26. 26

    Continue on Howie Mine Road

    1 km · 1 min · Howie Mine Road

  27. 27

    Turn left onto North Broome Street

    130 m · 19 sec · North Broome Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto East South Main Street

    19 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 Business South
75.6 mi · 56%
Governor James G Martin Freeway
19.9 mi · 15%
Sam Hunt Freeway
19 mi · 14%
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
6.11 mi · 5%
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
4.45 mi · 3%
North Indian Trail Road
1.49 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 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.8 mi
109.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
East Spencer
01h 21m from Burlington
Leave By
1:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Burlington and Sunny near Waxhaw.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 135 miles (217.2 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

East Spencer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from Burlington and 67.5 miles from Waxhaw.

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

The direct path is about 109.2 miles (175.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.8 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 1:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.85 one way or $37.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Burlington and Sunny near Waxhaw.

Stop Ideas Near East Spencer

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around East Spencer, 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 East Spencer.

RAIL

Salisbury

2 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

23 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
RAIL

Kannapolis

26 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

High Point

49 mi away
100 West High St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Waxhaw. Straight-line distance: 109.26 mi (175.84 km).

Burlington

#1 Burlington

The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.

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

#2 Waxhaw

Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA

Population17,987
Coordinates34.9245900, -80.7434000
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Burlington (-79.4378, 36.09569)
End: Waxhaw (-80.7434, 34.92459)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 217 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.76 gal
18.03 L · about $18.85
Round trip
$37.71
9.52 gal · 36.06 L
Estimated CO2
42.3 kg one way
Round trip: 84.6 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.85 $37.71
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.08 $42.16
Premium $4.78 $22.74 $45.49
Diesel $5.62 $26.77 $53.54

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 Waxhaw. The current time is 23:23:07.

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.