How far is Burlington, NC from Wilmington, NC?

The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 192.1 miles (309.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.3 miles (248.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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
192.14 mi
02h 59m
Flight
154.29 mi
248.3 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
154.29 mi
Kilometers
248.3 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
192.14 mi
Kilometers
309.22 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wilmington
Tue, May 12, 9:50 PM EDT
Return by in Burlington
Wed, May 13, 12:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burlington
2026-05-12T18:50
Arrive Wilmington
Tue, May 12, 9:50 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:30 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
Benson
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Burlington
94 mi
01h 29m
To Wilmington
98.2 mi
01h 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
72°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    30.3 mi · 35 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    9.5 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  16. 16

    Continue on North College Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Market Street

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South 16th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Wooster Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
147 mi · 77%
Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 7%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13.4 mi · 7%
Market Street
2.26 mi · 1%
West Webb Avenue
2.05 mi · 1%
SR 42
1.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

107 mi · 01h 55m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.8 mi
154.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Benson
01h 29m from Burlington
Leave By
12:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Burlington and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 192.1 miles (309.2 km) and usually takes 02h 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?

Benson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94 miles from Burlington and 98.2 miles from Wilmington.

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

The direct path is about 154.3 miles (248.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 12:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.86 one way or $53.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Benson

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

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

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

29 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

44 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

48 mi away
472 Hay Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

48 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 154.29 mi (248.3 km).

Burlington

#1 Burlington

The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.

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

#2 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

Population124,794
Coordinates34.2257300, -77.9447100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: South Church Street (-79.437732, 36.095621)
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 309 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.78 gal
25.67 L · about $26.86
Round trip
$53.71
13.56 gal · 51.34 L
Estimated CO2
60.3 kg one way
Round trip: 120.5 kg / 266 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.86 $53.71
Mid-grade $4.43 $30.03 $60.06
Premium $4.78 $32.39 $64.79
Diesel $5.62 $38.13 $76.26

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 Wilmington. The current time is 18:50:38.

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.