Origin
Elizabeth City, NC
Afternoon in Elizabeth City on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth City, NC to Wilmington, NC
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
240.3 mi
387 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 43m
★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth City, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
Traveling from Elizabeth City to Wilmington covers 240.3 miles across the Southeast, making for a journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes of drive time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $38 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate via the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and the Monroe Expressway to reach the coast. Since this is a regional trek within North Carolina, it serves as a straightforward connection between these two hubs. It is a practical route for those looking to reach the Wilmington area efficiently without the need for an extended multi-day itinerary.
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
120.1 miles from Elizabeth City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless cruise. While you will spend about 18% of the trip on highways, the experience is defined by shifting road conditions and navigation through local paths. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.9 miles on the Andrew Jackson Highway, which provides the most consistent portion of the drive. The personality of the road changes as you transition between these different segments, requiring you to adapt to varying speeds and turns. Prepare for a dynamic experience behind the wheel that differs significantly from a standard, monotonous interstate trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 39 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 92.9 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 12.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 240.3 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 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
39.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
39.7 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
8
43.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Bou...
9
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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...
Towns Along This Route
Between Elizabeth City, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
Spartanburg
12.4 mi in
|
~16m
Charlotte
12.5 mi in
|
~16m
Bank Of America Stadium
39.7 mi in
|
~49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 92.9 mi | 1h 53m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.9 mi | 16m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Crystal Lane
424 ft
·
21 sec
·
Crystal Lane
2
Turn right onto NC 180
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Post Road
3
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Marion Street
4
Turn left onto US 74
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Dixon Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
6
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft
·
11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
18
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
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.
22
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
24
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
25
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
27
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
28
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
Use the none lane.
29
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
Use the none lane.
31
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the none lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the none lane.
34
Continue on US 74
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
35
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
37
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
38
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
39
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given the nearly five-hour duration, plan to leave early in the morning to maximize your time once you arrive in Wilmington. With only one recommended stop planned, you have significant flexibility to pace your journey based on your personal comfort. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on your specific driving habits. Since the route involves several highway changes, ensure your navigation tools are updated before you depart to handle the switch between the Andrew Jackson Highway and the Monroe Expressway seamlessly. Making your single stop during the longer stretches on the Andrew Jackson Highway is a smart way to break up the drive effectively.
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 120.1 miles from Elizabeth City, NC, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 34m 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 2m
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 Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, NC
This is one driving day of about 240.3 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elizabeth City, 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 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.1 mi from Elizabeth City, NC · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 120.1 miles from Elizabeth City, 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 92.9 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
$38.46 one way
$76.91 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $41.90 | $83.80 |
| premium | $4.78 | $45.20 | $90.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.39 | $106.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.23 | $11.53 |
| Efficient EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.03 | $9.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.64 | $15.38 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Sunday
Local time
4:08 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
4h 56m 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 Elizabeth City, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 240.3 miles and takes about 4h 56m 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 120.1 miles from Elizabeth City, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.46 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 17 significant decision points across 240.3 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 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elizabeth City, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
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