Origin
Archdale, NC
Late night in Archdale on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Archdale, NC to Wilmington, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
238.7 mi
384 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Archdale, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Archdale, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 238.7 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cameron Morrison Bridge, NC 16, NC 16 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.20 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
119.3 miles from Archdale, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 51m drive with frequent turns across 238.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cameron Morrison Bridge is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 51m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Archdale, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NC 16 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NC 16 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Brookshire Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Brookshire Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 74 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Independence Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Independence Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Cameron Morrison Bridge
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Archdale, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on the route
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
the route
2
Take the ramp straight
24 mi
·
29 min
3
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
4
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
5
Keep slight right to continue on NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
387 ft
·
11 sec
·
NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
6
Merge slight left onto Brookshire Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
7
Continue on Brookshire Freeway
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
8
Take the exit slight left toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
9
Merge slight right onto East Independence Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
10
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
358 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
11
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
12
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
13
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
14
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
15
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
16
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
17
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
18
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
19
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
20
Continue on Salisbury Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
21
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
22
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
23
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
24
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
25
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
26
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
27
Continue on American Indian Highway
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
28
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
29
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
30
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
31
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
32
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 119.3 miles from Archdale, NC, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Archdale, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Archdale, NC
This is one driving day of about 238.7 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Archdale, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.3 mi from Archdale, NC · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.3 miles from Archdale, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wilmington, NC
The final approach into Wilmington, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Wilmington, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.20 one way
$76.40 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $41.62 | $83.24 |
| premium | $4.78 | $44.90 | $89.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.03 | $106.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.42 | $15.28 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Late night in Wilmington on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Archdale, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 238.7 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cameron Morrison Bridge, NC 16, NC 16 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.3 miles from Archdale, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 51m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Archdale, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Archdale, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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