Origin
Balfour, NC
Late night in Balfour on Saturday
Local time
12:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Balfour, NC to Wilmington, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
305.7 mi
492 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Balfour, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Balfour, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 305.7 miles and takes about 5h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Berkeley Road, Signal Hill Road, Thompson Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.80 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
152.8 miles from Balfour, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 305.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 2m drive with frequent turns across 305.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Berkeley Road 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.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 2m 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 Balfour, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley Road | — | — |
| Signal Hill Road | — | — |
| Thompson Street | — | — |
| Four Seasons Boulevard | — | — |
| I 26 | — | — |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | — | — |
| US 74 East | — | — |
| Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Berkeley Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balfour, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Balfour Road
177 ft
·
5 sec
·
Balfour Road
2
Continue on Berkeley Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Berkeley Road
3
Keep slight right to continue on Berkeley Road
295 ft
·
10 sec
·
Berkeley Road
4
Continue on Signal Hill Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Signal Hill Road
5
Turn right onto Thompson Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Thompson Street
6
Turn left onto Four Seasons Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Four Seasons Boulevard
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 26, US 74, US 25
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 26, US 74, US 25
8
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
9
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
11
Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
12
Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
13
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
15 mi
·
17 min
·
James A. Callahan Highway
14
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
15
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
16
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
17
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
19
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
20
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
21
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
22
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
23
Merge slight left onto Brookshire Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
24
Continue on Brookshire Freeway
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
25
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
26
Merge slight right onto East Independence Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
27
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
358 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
28
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
29
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
30
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
31
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
32
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
33
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
34
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
35
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
36
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
37
Continue on Salisbury Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
38
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
39
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
40
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
41
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
42
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
43
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
44
Continue on American Indian Highway
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
45
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
46
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
47
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
48
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
49
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 152.8 miles from Balfour, NC, or about 2h 31m 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 67 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.8 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
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 Balfour, 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 Balfour, NC
This is one driving day of about 305.7 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Balfour, 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 152.8 mi from Balfour, NC · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 152.8 miles from Balfour, 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
$47.80 one way
$95.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $52.27 | $104.54 |
| premium | $4.70 | $56.58 | $113.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.49 | $134.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.10 | $14.67 |
| Efficient EV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.75 | $12.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.3 | 1 | $42.80 | $19.56 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Late night in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
12:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Balfour, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 305.7 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Berkeley Road, Signal Hill Road, Thompson Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 152.8 miles from Balfour, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.80 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 2m 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 Balfour, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Balfour, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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