Trip from Lake Lure, NC to Wilmington, NC

Drive Time

4h 53m

Distance

294.1 mi

473 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Lake Lure, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 294.1 miles and takes about 4h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 74 East, West Dixon Boulevard, Andrew Jackson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.07 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

147.1 miles from Lake Lure, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 53m drive with frequent turns across 294.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 74 East is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 4h 53m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lake Lure, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 74 East	Unavailable	Refreshing
West Dixon Boulevard	Unavailable	Refreshing
Andrew Jackson Highway	Unavailable	Refreshing
Senator J	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 85	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 85 North	Unavailable	Refreshing
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway	Unavailable	Refreshing
Cameron Morrison Bridge	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: US 74 East — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Lure, NC and Wilmington, NC.

Start on Memorial Highway

1.4 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway

Turn slight right

12 mi · 19 min

Take the ramp left toward US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton

0.3 mi · 35 sec · US 74 East: Forest City, Rutherfordton

Merge slight left

27 mi · 29 min

Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard

12 mi · 17 min · West Dixon Boulevard

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

6.8 mi · 7 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg

Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

0.8 mi · 56 sec · I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

18 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

8.5 mi · 10 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge

Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte

0.2 mi · 27 sec · NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte

Keep slight right to continue on NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium

387 ft · 11 sec · NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium

Merge slight left onto Brookshire Boulevard

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Brookshire Boulevard

Continue on Brookshire Freeway

3.6 mi · 5 min · Brookshire Freeway

Take the exit slight left toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard

0.4 mi · 55 sec · US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard

Merge slight right onto East Independence Expressway

3.3 mi · 4 min · East Independence Expressway

Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard

358 ft · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard

Continue on East Independence Expressway

2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway

Continue on East Independence Boulevard

2.4 mi · 3 min · East Independence Boulevard

Continue on Independence Boulevard

4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard

Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway

19 mi · 21 min · Monroe Expressway

Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Continue on West Marshville Boulevard

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard

Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

Continue on Salisbury Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Salisbury Street

Continue on West Caswell Street

2.4 mi · 4 min · West Caswell Street

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

10 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on G R Kindley Freeway

15 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

9.7 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

10 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on American Indian Highway

34 mi · 36 min · American Indian Highway

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

60 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on Ocean Highway East

3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East

Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

Turn left onto South 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South 3rd Street

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 147.1 miles from Lake Lure, NC, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

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 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 147.1 miles or 2h 26m 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

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 Lake Lure, 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 Lake Lure, NC

This is one driving day of about 294.1 miles and 4h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lake Lure, 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 147.1 mi from Lake Lure, NC · 2h 26m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

147 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.

Popular next leg

Charlotte, NC to Wilmington, NC

197.5 mi · 4h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Boiling Springs, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.1 miles from Lake Lure, 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

$47.07 one way

$94.14 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$51.28	$102.56
premium	$4.78	$55.32	$110.65
diesel	$5.64	$65.34	$130.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88.2	1	$30.88	$14.12
Efficient EV	73.5	0	$25.73	$11.76
EV Truck/SUV	117.6	1	$41.17	$18.82

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lake Lure, NC

Afternoon in Lake Lure on Sunday

Local time

2:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wilmington, NC

Afternoon in Wilmington on Sunday

Local time

2:45 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

22 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 53m 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 Lake Lure, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 294.1 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 74 East, West Dixon Boulevard, Andrew Jackson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 147.1 miles from Lake Lure, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.07 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 straightforward 4h 53m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lake Lure, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Lake Lure, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.