Origin
Holly Ridge, NC
Morning in Holly Ridge on Wednesday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Holly Ridge, NC to Wilmington, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
49m
Distance
36.8 mi
59 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Holly Ridge, NC
Budget Bizar
Trip Overview
This straightforward 36.8-mile drive from Holly Ridge to Wilmington, North Carolina, should take you about 49 minutes to complete. It's an easy day trip, so no need to plan for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $6, making it an economical option. You'll spend most of your time on highways, with a 68% highway share, indicating a focus on efficient travel. This route is a good choice if you're looking for a quick and direct connection between these two Southeast locations without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18.4 miles from Holly Ridge, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, making up 68% of the total mileage. You can expect stretches of efficient travel, including a continuous 12.4-mile segment on the John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. While the primary roads include Wilmington Highway and US 17, the overall profile suggests a consistent pace rather than winding, scenic byways. The character is practical and direct, designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, so prepare for a straightforward driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway and Wilmington Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 / Wilmington Highway.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 49m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 17 / Wilmington Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.9 miles (US 421): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 17 / Wilmington Highway
Depart onto US 17 / Wilmington Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
30.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
6
30.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 421
Turn right onto US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
34.8 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
3
35.5 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 17; US 76; US 421 / Ocean Highway East
Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421 / Ocean Highway East
Merge point - match speed before joining
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Holly Ridge, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Carolina Beach along the way.
Carolina Beach
30.7 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John Jay Burney Jr Freeway | 12.4 mi | 13m |
| Wilmington Highway | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| US 17 | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| US 421 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Cape Fear Memorial Bridge | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ocean Highway East | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
— 12.4 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holly Ridge, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on US 17
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Wilmington Highway
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 17; NC 210
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on NC 140
12 mi
·
13 min
·
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
5
Turn right onto US 421
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 421
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 421
7
Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Ocean Highway East
8
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
9
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
10
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given the short 49-minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility; you can leave whenever it suits you best. There are no recommended stops, but with a total distance of only 36.8 miles, you can easily pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is just $6, so you won't need to plan extensive refueling. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition onto US 17 as you approach Wilmington, as it can see increased traffic, especially during peak hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 18.4 miles from Holly Ridge, NC, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.4 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 36.8 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
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 Holly Ridge, 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 Holly Ridge, NC
This is one driving day of about 36.8 miles and 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Holly Ridge, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway for about 12.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from Holly Ridge, NC · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from Holly Ridge, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$5.75 one way
$11.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| premium | $4.70 | $6.81 | $13.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.12 | $16.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.36 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Morning in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
6:23 AM
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
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
49m 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 Holly Ridge, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 36.8 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John Jay Burney Jr Freeway, Wilmington Highway, US 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.4 miles from Holly Ridge, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 49m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 17 / Wilmington Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.9 miles (US 421): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Holly Ridge, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Carolina Beach along the way.
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