Origin
Leland, NC
Late night in Leland on Wednesday
Local time
2:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leland, NC to Wilmington, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
11m
Distance
6.6 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 10m
★
6 AM
0h 11m
8 AM
0h 13m
10 AM
0h 12m
12 PM
0h 12m
3 PM
0h 12m
5 PM
0h 13m
8 PM
0h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leland, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Leland and Wilmington, this 8.7-mile connection is as straightforward as it gets. Expect to spend only about 11 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will navigate primarily via Lincoln Road Northeast, Village Road, and River Road Southeast. Because the entire journey is local, you can budget just $1 for fuel, keeping your travel costs incredibly low. Since both towns are nestled within the Southeast region of North Carolina, the environment remains consistent throughout your brief transit. This drive is best suited for those needing a practical, no-fuss route rather than a long-distance excursion.
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
3.3 miles from Leland, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Forget about monotonous highway cruising; this route is a turn-heavy local drive through and through. With a highway share of 0%, you won’t find any high-speed interstate stretches here. Instead, you will navigate local surface streets that require your full attention as you move through the area. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Lincoln Road Northeast, meaning you should anticipate frequent turns and changing road conditions. It is a functional, technical drive that demands a steady pace rather than heavy acceleration. Expect a very different feel than an open highway, as you stay grounded on local roads for the duration of your 11-minute trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Village Road is the longest continuous segment at about 3.1 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Lincoln Road Northeast.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 11m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Lincoln Road Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Village Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (NC 133): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lincoln Road Northeast
Turn right onto Lincoln Road Northeast
Navigation decision point
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Village Road
Turn left onto Village Road
Navigation decision point
3
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
NC 133
Take the ramp onto NC 133
Navigation decision point
3
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East
Merge onto US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133 / Ocean Highway East
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
6.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 421; US 17 Business / South 3rd Street
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business / South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Village Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Ocean Highway East | 2 mi | 2m |
| Cape Fear Memorial Bridge | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NC 133 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| River Road Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Post Office Road Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lincoln Road Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Village Road
— 3.1 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leland, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Post Office Road Northeast
282 ft
·
13 sec
·
Post Office Road Northeast
2
Turn right onto Lincoln Road Northeast
272 ft
·
8 sec
·
Lincoln Road Northeast
3
Turn left onto Village Road
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Village Road
4
Continue on River Road Southeast
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
River Road Southeast
5
Take the ramp onto NC 133
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
NC 133
6
Merge onto US 17; US 74; US 76; NC 133
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Ocean Highway East
7
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
8
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
9
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short, 8.7-mile jaunt, you have total flexibility in your departure timing. You won't need to plan for any stops, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go without a break. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, keep an eye out for standard neighborhood traffic patterns that might fluctuate throughout the day. Fueling up before you head out is simple and inexpensive, costing roughly $1 for the trip. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert for the turns required by the local road transitions, as you will be navigating off of Lincoln Road Northeast and onto Village Road and River Road Southeast rather quickly.
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 3.3 miles from Leland, NC, or about 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.1 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 6.6 miles or 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.3 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9m
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 Leland, 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 Leland, NC
This is one driving day of about 6.6 miles and 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Leland, 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 Village Road for about 3.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.3 mi from Leland, NC · 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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 6.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.3 miles from Leland, 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
$1.03 one way
$2.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $1.13 | $2.26 |
| premium | $4.70 | $1.22 | $2.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.46 | $2.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.69 | $0.32 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.58 | $0.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.92 | $0.42 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Late night in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
2:13 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
11m 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 Leland, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 6.6 miles and takes about 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Village Road, Ocean Highway East, Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.3 miles from Leland, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.03 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 11m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Lincoln Road Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Village Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (NC 133): Navigation decision point.
The route from Leland, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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