Trip from Maine, NC to Surf City, NC

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

251.7 mi

405 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 54m ★

6 AM

5h 8m

8 AM

5h 35m

10 AM

5h 17m

12 PM

5h 15m

3 PM

5h 19m

5 PM

5h 33m

8 PM

5h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Maine, NC

Mohan Nannapaneni

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Maine, NC to Surf City, NC, expect a straightforward journey covering 251.7 miles. You should budget about 5 hours and 7 minutes of total drive time, making this a manageable route to complete in a single day. Since the trek stays within the Southeast region of North Carolina, you will find consistent road conditions throughout your travel. With a fuel estimate of approximately $40, it is a relatively affordable excursion. While a single day is sufficient for the drive, you might consider an overnight stay if you prefer a more relaxed pace upon arriving at the coast. Ultimately, this is a practical, highway-focused route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

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

125.9 miles from Maine, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily weighted toward highway travel, with 92% of the route utilizing major thoroughfares like I-40, US-421, and NC-50. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 97.9 miles on I-40. The character of the drive is consistent and fast-paced, prioritizing speed and efficiency over winding backroads. As you transition from the inland highways toward the coast, the road environment remains functional and focused on high-speed transit. Expect a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that is well-suited for drivers who prefer interstate travel over navigating complex local traffic.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 38 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 97.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.8 miles in near US 421.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 251.7 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 39.8 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

39.8 mi into trip | ~46m in | US 421

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...

52 mi into trip | ~59m in | US 421

Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 126 Toward US 421: Sanford

52.3 mi into trip | ~1h in | US 421

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 126A Toward US 421 South: Sanford

78.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 171 Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro

134.6 mi into trip | ~2h 41m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Maine, NC and Surf City, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.

Durham

39.8 mi in | ~46m | via US 421

Pittsboro

78.6 mi in | ~1h 32m

Wilmington

136.4 mi in | ~2h 43m | via I 40

Kenansville

195.9 mi in | ~3h 47m | via NC 24

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	97.9 mi	1h 47m
US 421	38.8 mi	46m
NC 50	36.2 mi	52m
US 64	32 mi	42m
Triangle Expressway	22 mi	23m
Cypress Creek Road	9.4 mi	12m
South Kenansville Bypass	4.1 mi	5m
NC 41	1.9 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 97.9 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maine, NC and Surf City, NC.

Start on Oak Grove Church Road

48 ft · 3 sec · Oak Grove Church Road

Turn right onto US 158

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 158

Turn left onto US 158

200 ft · 5 sec · US 158

Turn straight onto Farmington Road

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Farmington Road

Enter roundabout

64 ft · 2 sec

Continue

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Merge onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421

12 mi · 13 min · US 421

Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 421

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 421

Exit 126 Toward US 421: Sanford Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421

26 mi · 32 min · US 421

Exit 126A Toward US 421 South: Sanford Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 171 Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 64

11 mi · 15 min · US 64

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

21 mi · 27 min · US 64

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward NC 540 Toll South Use the right lane.

Merge onto NC 540 Toll

22 mi · 23 min · Triangle Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 40 East: Wilmington

Merge onto I 40

0.8 mi · 53 sec · I 40

Keep slight right at fork

1.7 mi · 1 min

Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40

60 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 40

Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

Take the exit onto NC 24

0.3 mi · 47 sec · NC 24

Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville

Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903

4.1 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass

Turn right onto D S Williams Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · D S Williams Road

Turn right onto NC 50

11 mi · 14 min · NC 50

Continue on NC 41; NC 50

1.9 mi · 2 min · NC 41; NC 50

Turn right onto NC 50

3.0 mi · 4 min · NC 50

Continue on Cypress Creek Road

9.4 mi · 12 min · Cypress Creek Road

Turn left onto Sycamore Springs Road

1.4 mi · 1 min · Sycamore Springs Road

Continue on Old Maple Hill Road North

1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Maple Hill Road North

Turn left onto NC 50

5.1 mi · 7 min · NC 50

Turn right onto NC 50

17 mi · 24 min · NC 50

Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 210

113 ft · 2 sec · NC 50; NC 210

Continue on NC 50; NC 210

0.8 mi · 1 min · NC 50; NC 210

Enter roundabout onto NC 210

225 ft · 4 sec · North New River Drive

Continue on NC 210

126 ft · 2 sec · North New River Drive

Continue on North New River Drive

202 ft · 10 sec · North New River Drive

Turn left onto Roland Avenue

109 ft · 12 sec · Roland Avenue

Continue on Roland Avenue

76 ft · 1 sec · Roland Avenue

Arrive at destination

Roland Avenue

Trip Plan

To keep your trip stress-free, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 251.7-mile journey to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is primarily highway-based, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on I-40, which can significantly impact your travel time. Keep your $40 fuel budget handy, but remember to monitor your vehicle's consumption during the longest 97.9-mile stretch to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Because this is a one-day trip, the flexibility of your schedule is your best asset; feel free to adjust your departure time based on your preferred arrival at Surf City. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the interstate onto the secondary highways of NC-50 near 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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 125.9 miles from Maine, NC, or about 2h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.9 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 125.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surf City, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Maine, 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 Maine, NC

This is one driving day of about 251.7 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maine, 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 97.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 125.9 mi from Maine, NC · 2h 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Raleigh, NC

126 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

Graham, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Raleigh, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.9 miles from Maine, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.9 miles.

Arriving in Surf City, NC

The final approach into Surf City, 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 Surf City, 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

$40.28 one way

$80.56 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$43.89	$87.78
premium	$4.78	$47.35	$94.69
diesel	$5.64	$55.92	$111.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	75.5	0	$26.43	$12.08
Efficient EV	62.9	0	$22.02	$10.07
EV Truck/SUV	100.7	1	$35.24	$16.11

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 1 hour ago

Origin

Maine, NC

Afternoon in Maine on Sunday

Local time

4:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Surf City, NC

Afternoon in Surf City on Sunday

Local time

4:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°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

5h 7m 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 Maine, NC to Surf City, NC covers 251.7 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, US 421, NC 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 125.9 miles from Maine, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.28 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.