Origin
Carolina Beach, NC
Evening in Carolina Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC
Drive Time
22m
Distance
14.3 mi
23 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 26m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 24m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 21m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carolina Beach, NC
Aaron Ulsh
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Carolina Beach to Wilmington, you are facing a quick, 14.3-mile journey that typically takes about 22 minutes. This straightforward trip is perfectly suited for a single day, as it functions more like a local commute than a sprawling road expedition. You will navigate through the Southeast region of North Carolina by utilizing North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach Road, and Burnett Boulevard. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly way to move between these two coastal hubs. Since there are no required stops, you have the freedom to complete the drive in one efficient stretch.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will spend the entirety of the 14.3 miles navigating local roads, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches to zone out on. The lack of highway miles keeps the pace steady but requires your full attention as you transition between the various boulevards. Because the route relies entirely on local corridors, you should prepare for a driving experience defined by frequent turns and changing traffic environments. It is a practical, utilitarian path that gets you from point A to point B without any monotonous stretches.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Lake Park Boulevard 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. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC is easy. At 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Lake Park Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Carolina Beach Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Burnett Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Lake Park Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Beach, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on the route
46 ft
·
6 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lake Park Boulevard
3
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
4
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
5
Take the exit slight right
489 ft
·
12 sec
6
Merge slight left onto Burnett Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Burnett Boulevard
7
Continue on South 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 3rd Street
8
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is such a short, 22-minute trip, you have maximum flexibility when planning your departure time. You do not need to worry about pacing your stops or scheduling overnight stays, as the entire drive is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that since the route is entirely local, you should factor in potential city traffic when timing your departure to avoid peak congestion. With a total fuel cost of only $2, you can easily budget for this trip without any complex financial planning. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for frequent turns, as the lack of highway miles means you will be actively maneuvering through local intersections for the duration of the drive.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC, or about 11m 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 14.3 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.1 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
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 Carolina Beach, 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 Carolina Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 14.3 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carolina Beach, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.1 mi from Carolina Beach, NC · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.1 miles from Carolina Beach, 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
$2.29 one way
$4.58 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.49 | $4.99 |
| premium | $4.78 | $2.69 | $5.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.18 | $6.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.69 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.25 | $0.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.7 | 0 | $2.00 | $0.92 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Evening in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
5:19 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
22m 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 Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 14.3 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach Road, Burnett Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.1 miles from Carolina Beach, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.29 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.
The drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC is easy. At 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Carolina Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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