Depends on where you come from. Coming from my sis house in Dunn,NC we use Hwy 421. Through Lillington and Sanford. Mapblast/mapquest do have the "shortcut" search.
You can also go 40 to 49 South. Straight there. Scenic on 49 South bout like 64. You would pick up 49 South in Burlington. 30 minutes from there. Out of the way you say??? Why yes it is. Just an alternative for you. Same distance. Different way.
The quickest way is probably just going to be taking US 64 to Asheboro. When it was partially two-lane, it took awhile, but now that its four, its probably the shortest and quickest.