Origin
Asheville, NC
Afternoon in Asheville on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Asheville, NC to Wilmington, NC
Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
322.2 mi
519 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
Trip Overview
Spanning 322.2 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Asheville to Wilmington takes approximately 6 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget about $52 for fuel to make the journey. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a substantial commitment. You will navigate via the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and the Billy Graham Freeway to reach the coast. Since both your start and end points are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you transition from the mountains toward the Atlantic. This is a practical route for travelers who prefer local roads over the monotony of major interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.1 miles from Asheville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a diverse driving experience that shifts from technical, turn-heavy local roads to brief highway segments. With only 22% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local stretches that demand more attention than a standard interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 104.8-mile stretch on the Andrew Jackson Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the profile is defined by frequent turns, the drive requires consistent focus and engagement behind the wheel. You will find that the road's personality changes significantly as you move away from the mountain terrain and head toward the coastal destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 322.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway toward I 240 West, I 26 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 240 West, I 26 East
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherford...
8
94.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
9
121.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
9
138.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
Towns Along This Route
Between Asheville, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
Rutherfordton
39.7 mi in
|
~49m
|
via US 74
Spartanburg
94.3 mi in
|
~1h 54m
Charlotte
94.4 mi in
|
~1h 54m
Bank Of America Stadium
121.6 mi in
|
~2h 27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 104.8 mi | 2h 7m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Billy Graham Freeway | 27.5 mi | 34m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| James A. Callahan Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.9 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 104.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Asheville, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on this road
45 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Marcellus Street
130 ft
·
8 sec
·
Marcellus Street
3
Turn right onto US 25
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrimon Avenue
4
Turn straight
306 ft
·
11 sec
5
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
this road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 240; US 70; US 74A
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS
26 mi
·
32 min
·
Billy Graham Freeway
Toward I 240 West, I 26 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26; US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
9
Take the exit onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Exit 67
Toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
Toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton
11
Continue on US 74
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
12
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
17 min
·
James A. Callahan Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
15
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the none lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft
·
11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Use the left / right lanes.
22
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
27
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none lane.
28
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the none lane.
29
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
33
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
34
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
36
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
37
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
Use the none lane.
38
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
Use the none lane.
40
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the none lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the none lane.
43
Continue on US 74
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
44
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
45
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
46
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
47
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
48
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
To manage the 322.2-mile distance effectively, plan to leave early in the morning to account for the technical nature of the local roads. Since the route includes only one stop in the provided itinerary, you should identify a midway point to stretch your legs, especially given the turn-heavy profile of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 estimate assumes steady driving and local road conditions that can fluctuate based on traffic. Because you are tackling a long, turn-heavy stretch, prioritize comfort and hydration to stay alert throughout the 6 hour and 34 minute duration. Use the 104.8-mile stretch on the Andrew Jackson Highway to maintain a steady, predictable pace before the road character shifts as you approach Wilmington.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.1 miles from Asheville, NC, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.8 miles.
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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
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 Asheville, 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 Asheville, NC
This is one driving day of about 322.2 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Asheville, 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.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 104.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.1 mi from Asheville, NC · 3h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 161.1 miles from Asheville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.8 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.56 one way
$103.13 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $56.18 | $112.36 |
| premium | $4.78 | $60.61 | $121.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.58 | $143.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.7 | 1 | $33.83 | $15.47 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.19 | $12.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.9 | 1 | $45.11 | $20.62 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
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
8 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
6h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Asheville, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 322.2 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, Billy Graham Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.1 miles from Asheville, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 322.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (I 26; I 240; US 19 BUS; US 23 BUS / Billy Graham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles (US 74 / Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Asheville, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
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