Origin
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
2:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Wilmington, NC
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
197.5 mi
318 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Trip Overview
Traveling from Charlotte to Wilmington covers 197.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trek across North Carolina, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, though you may prefer an overnight stay to fully enjoy your time on the coast. You will primarily navigate via East 5th Street, East Independence Boulevard, and US 74 East. Expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel for the journey. This route keeps you within the Southeast region the entire time, offering a straightforward transition from the city to the beach. It is a practical choice if you want to reach the coast without committing to a multi-day expedition.
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
98.8 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Your journey begins with navigation through urban streets like East 5th Street, where the longest stretch of road is essentially non-existent due to frequent turns. The character of the drive remains consistent as you transition onto US 74 East and East Independence Boulevard. Because you are not spending time on major interstates, your focus will remain on local road navigation. This setup requires more active attention behind the wheel compared to a standard highway haul.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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 91 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 4.6 miles in near US 74 / East Independence Boulevard.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 197.5 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 4.6 miles (US 74 / East Independence Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 74 / East Independence Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / East Independence Boulevard toward US 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East
9
13.7 mi into trip
|
~19m 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...
5
32.5 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Merge onto US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 East: Lumberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
6
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 91 mi | 1h 50m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.9 mi | 16m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Independence Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| US 74 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Ocean Highway East | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
488 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Tryon Street
2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
East 5th Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto East 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
East 5th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward NC 27 East, US 74 East
5
Continue on US 74; NC 27
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 74; NC 27
Toward US 74 East: Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
7
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
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.
11
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
13
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
14
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
17
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
18
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
20
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 74
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
24
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
26
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
27
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 13-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the frequent turns. Leaving Charlotte early in the morning can help you bypass city traffic as you navigate toward East Independence Boulevard and US 74 East. Keep your $31 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you leave the city to avoid potential price fluctuations along the local stretches. Since this is a one-day trip, the lack of highway time gives you the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Always stay alert for turn-heavy sections, as the road requires constant engagement throughout the entire 197.6-mile span.
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 98.8 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 18m
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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 197.5 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlotte, 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 91 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.8 mi from Charlotte, NC · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 98.8 miles from Charlotte, 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 91 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.61 one way
$63.22 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $34.44 | $68.88 |
| premium | $4.78 | $37.15 | $74.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.88 | $87.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.74 | $9.48 |
| Efficient EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.28 | $7.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79 | 0 | $27.65 | $12.64 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
2:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Concord, NC
99 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
1 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
4h 3m 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 Charlotte, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 197.5 miles and takes about 4h 3m 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, Monroe Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.8 miles from Charlotte, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.61 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 197.5 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 4.6 miles (US 74 / East Independence Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.7 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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