Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
194.8 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Same-day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
The drive from Glen Raven, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 194.8 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Webb Avenue, West Elm Street, West Harden Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.38 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
97.4 miles from Glen Raven, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 5m drive with frequent turns across 194.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Webb Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Elm Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Harden Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Harden Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 42 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Glen Raven, NC and Wilmington, NC.
Start on the route
Turn right onto West Webb Avenue
Continue on West Elm Street
Turn left onto West Harden Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
Turn left
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
Keep slight left
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Keep slight left
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
Continue on North College Road
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
Turn right onto Market Street
Turn left onto South 16th Street
Turn right onto Wooster Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.4 miles or 1h 32m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, NC than in the middle of the route.
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 194.8 miles and 3h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.4 mi from Glen Raven, NC · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 97.4 miles from Glen Raven, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$30.38 one way
$60.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $33.97 | $67.93 |
| premium | $4.78 | $36.64 | $73.29 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $43.13 | $86.26 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Glen Raven on Saturday
Local time
4:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
4:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Glen Raven, NC or browse trips ending in Wilmington, NC.
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