Origin
Clinton, NC
Afternoon in Clinton on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, NC to Wilmington, NC
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
4h 55m
Distance
220.3 mi
355 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 42m
★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 2m
3 PM
5h 6m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 220.3-mile drive from Clinton, NC to Wilmington, NC is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily navigate along Andrew Jackson Highway, US 52, and American Indian Highway, with about 27% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $34 for this trip. Given its duration and the nature of the roads, it's a manageable day trip, but you won't be rushed if you decide to stretch it out. The route stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in North Carolina.
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
110.2 miles from Clinton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive, rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. While 27% of the route utilizes highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91 miles along Andrew Jackson Highway. This means you'll experience a more varied driving experience, with frequent changes in speed and direction as you pass through various communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 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. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near US 601 / Jake Alexander Boulevard North.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (US 601 / Jake Alexander Boulevard North): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (Sides Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 601 / Jake Alexander Boulevard North
Turn right onto US 601 / Jake Alexander Boulevard North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
22.2 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 52
Turn right onto US 52
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
23.2 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
Sides Road
Turn left onto Sides Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
87 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m 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
112.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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 |
| US 52 | 39.2 mi | 54m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.9 mi | 16m |
| Jake Alexander Boulevard North | 7.4 mi | 12m |
| Old Salisbury Road | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| US 601 | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Point Road | 4.1 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Point Road
4.1 mi
·
15 min
·
Point Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Cherry Hill Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 601
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
US 601
4
Turn right onto US 601
7.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Jake Alexander Boulevard North
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto Faith Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Faith Road
6
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on South Main Gq Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Gq Street
8
Turn right onto US 52
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 52
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 52
10
Turn left onto Sides Road
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Sides Road
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto US 52
8.9 mi
·
14 min
·
US 52
12
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Main Street
13
Turn left onto Old Salisbury Road
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Old Salisbury Road
14
Continue on Salisbury Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 52
29 mi
·
39 min
·
US 52
16
Turn left onto US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
17
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
18
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
19
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
21
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 74
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
25
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
27
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
28
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
29
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under five hours, this trip offers flexibility. You could depart mid-morning to avoid early rush hours and still arrive in Wilmington with plenty of afternoon light. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 220.3 miles, perhaps midway through the 91-mile segment on Andrew Jackson Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $34; local roads can sometimes lead to slightly less efficient mileage. Given the turn-heavy nature, staying alert and using GPS is recommended.
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 110.2 miles from Clinton, NC, or about 2h 45m 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 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 5m
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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, NC
This is one driving day of about 220.3 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, 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 110.2 mi from Clinton, NC · 2h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 110.2 miles from Clinton, 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
$34.45 one way
$68.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $37.67 | $75.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $40.77 | $81.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.64 | $97.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.28 | $8.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.1 | 1 | $30.84 | $14.10 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Wednesday
Local time
3:04 PM
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
4 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
4h 55m 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 Clinton, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 220.3 miles and takes about 4h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, US 52, American Indian Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.2 miles from Clinton, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.45 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (US 601 / Jake Alexander Boulevard North): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (Sides Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clinton, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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