Origin
Glen Raven, NC
Evening in Glen Raven on Thursday
Local time
5:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glen Raven, NC to Wilmington, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
190.5 mi
307 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glen Raven, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Traveling from Glen Raven to Wilmington covers 190.5 miles across southeastern North Carolina. Expect a drive time of roughly 3 hours and 38 minutes, making this a highly manageable one-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-40, supported by segments of the Sam Hunt Freeway and the Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, this route is budget-friendly for a quick coastal getaway. Since the entire trip stays within the same region, you won't face drastic climate shifts or mountain terrain, keeping the driving experience consistent from start to finish. It is an ideal weekend excursion if you are looking to trade the inland landscape for the coast without spending your entire vacation behind the wheel.
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
95.2 miles from Glen Raven, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 190.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This journey is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route consisting of major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a steady, high-speed pace as you navigate the 149.2-mile longest stretch on I-40. The experience is defined by consistent interstate travel, which allows you to maintain a reliable rhythm throughout the 190.5-mile trek. While the road transitions through urban freeway connectors like the Sam Hunt and Thomas Bradshaw segments, the personality of the drive remains functional and direct rather than technical. You will find that the lack of complex navigation makes for a straightforward experience, though you should remain alert for the typical traffic patterns associated with sustained interstate travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 149.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Sam Hunt Freeway. 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 NC 87; NC 100 / West Webb Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 190.5 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 0.1 miles (NC 87; NC 100 / West Webb Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NC 87; NC 100 / West Webb Avenue
Turn right onto NC 87; NC 100 / West Webb Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
21.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
6
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
72.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
74.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 149.2 mi | 2h 43m |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| West Webb Avenue | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Market Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North College Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Parkway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Wooster Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 149.2 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glen Raven, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on this road
385 ft
·
31 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NC 87; NC 100
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Webb Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on NC 87
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Elm Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Harden Street
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto NC 54
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Harden Street
6
Continue on NC 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Harden Street
7
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
8
Merge onto I 40; I 85
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
16
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Road
17
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
18
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kerr Avenue
19
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Market Street
20
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 16th Street
21
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Wooster Street
22
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 38 minute journey, aim to depart early to avoid peak traffic on the busier freeway segments. You are allotted one stop for this trip, which is plenty of time to stretch your legs before reaching the coast. Given that the longest stretch spans nearly 150 miles, plan your refueling break strategically around the midpoint to ensure you stay within your $30 fuel budget. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon travel. Keep a close watch on your speedometer while transitioning between the Sam Hunt and Thomas Bradshaw freeways, as shifting speed limits are common in these urban-adjacent corridors.
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 95.2 miles from Glen Raven, NC, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.2 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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.2 miles or 1h 50m 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 55m
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 Glen Raven, 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 Glen Raven, NC
This is one driving day of about 190.5 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Glen Raven, 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 I 40 for about 149.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.2 mi from Glen Raven, NC · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.2 miles from Glen Raven, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.2 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.79 one way
$59.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $32.57 | $65.15 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.26 | $70.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.06 | $84.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.00 | $9.14 |
| Efficient EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.67 | $7.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.67 | $12.19 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Evening in Wilmington on Thursday
Local time
5:25 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
3 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
3h 38m 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 Glen Raven, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 190.5 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Sam Hunt Freeway, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.2 miles from Glen Raven, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.79 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 190.5 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 0.1 miles (NC 87; NC 100 / West Webb Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Glen Raven, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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