This 105.9-mile drive from Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, NC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes. You'll primarily navigate Wilmington Highway and NC 24, with a portion on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Southeast region of North Carolina. Considering the relatively short distance and duration, it's a convenient option for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
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
52.9 miles from Beaufort, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 105.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 51% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 29.3-mile segment on Wilmington Highway, which provides a more uninterrupted drive. The road's character shifts, blending faster-paced highway sections with potentially more local road segments as you progress towards Wilmington. It's not an entirely monotonous interstate experience, offering a bit of variety behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wilmington Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Turner Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 105.9 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (NC 24): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.9 miles (US 17 / Wilmington Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Turner Street
Turn right onto Turner Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
8.7 mi into trip|~14m in|NC 24
Turn left onto NC 24
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
49.9 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 17 / Wilmington Highway
Merge onto US 17 / Wilmington Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
99.7 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
6
100 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|US 421
Turn right onto US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Carolina Beach along the way.
Carolina Beach
99.7 mi in|~2h 24m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi
40m
NC 24
16.3 mi
23m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi
13m
Freedom Way
9.3 mi
11m
US 17
8.8 mi
13m
US 70
8 mi
13m
Lejeune Boulevard
5 mi
7m
US 421
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Wilmington Highway
— 29.3 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaufort, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Ann Street
298 ft·12 sec·Ann Street
2
Turn right onto Turner Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Turner Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70
8.0 mi·13 min·US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto NC 24
16 mi·23 min·NC 24
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on NC 24
2.9 mi·6 min·Cedar Point Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on NC 24
3.2 mi·7 min·West Corbett Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi·11 min·Freedom Way
8
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Lejeune Boulevard
9
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397
2.1 mi·2 min·Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
10
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
0.3 mi·26 sec·Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
11
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
1.4 mi·1 min·KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
12
Take the exit onto US 17; I 97
0.6 mi·52 sec·US 17; I 97
13
Merge onto US 17
29 mi·40 min·Wilmington Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 17; NC 210
8.1 mi·12 min·US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on NC 140
12 mi·13 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
17
Turn right onto US 421
3.9 mi·5 min·US 421
Use the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.7 mi·1 min·US 421
19
Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421
0.4 mi·31 sec·Ocean Highway East
20
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
21
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given this is a 2-hour and 33-minute drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should allow for a relaxed pace, with only one designated stop potentially needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17 for the 105.9 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the longest stretch without a major turn is nearly 30 miles on Wilmington Highway, so ensure you have entertainment or enjoy the consistent scenery for that segment.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 52.9 miles from Beaufort, NC, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.3 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 23 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
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 Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, NC
This is one driving day of about 105.9 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Beaufort, 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 Wilmington Highway for about 29.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.9 mi from Beaufort, NC
· 1h 21m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 98.6
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.56 one way
$33.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.11
$36.21
premium
$4.70
$19.60
$39.20
diesel
$5.61
$23.38
$46.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.8
0
$11.12
$5.08
Efficient EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
EV Truck/SUV
42.4
0
$14.83
$6.78
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Beaufort, NC
Afternoon
in Beaufort on Friday
Local time
1:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Afternoon
in Wilmington on Friday
Local time
1:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Jacksonville, NC
53 mi in
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m 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 Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 105.9 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilmington Highway, NC 24, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.9 miles from Beaufort, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 105.9 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (NC 24): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.9 miles (US 17 / Wilmington Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Carolina Beach along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Moores Creek National Battlefield and Cape Lookout National Seashore.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
