Origin
Monroe, NC
Morning in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monroe, NC to Wilmington, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
174 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monroe, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Monroe, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 174 miles and takes about 3h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, G R Kindley Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 96.4 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.85 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
87 miles from Monroe, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 35m drive with frequent turns across 174 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 96.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (US 74; US 601 / East Roosevelt Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 20.7 miles (US 74 / W. Cliff Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Franklin Street
Turn left onto East Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 74; US 601 / East Roosevelt Boulevard
Turn right onto US 74; US 601 / East Roosevelt Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
20.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
US 74 / W. Cliff Martin Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / W. Cliff Martin Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
40.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 East: Lumberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
6
66.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 96.4 mi | 1h 58m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.9 mi | 16m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Ocean Highway East | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| West Marshville Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Carroll M. Edwards Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Caswell Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 96.4 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on NC 207
276 ft
·
6 sec
·
Skyway Drive
2
Continue on NC 207
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Hayne Street
3
Turn left onto East Franklin Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Franklin Street
4
Turn right onto US 74; US 601
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Roosevelt Boulevard
5
Continue on US 74
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
7
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
8
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
10
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
11
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
12
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
14
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
18
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Ocean Highway East
20
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
21
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
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 87 miles from Monroe, NC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 51m 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 56m
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 Monroe, 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 Monroe, NC
This is one driving day of about 174 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monroe, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 96.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87 mi from Monroe, NC · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87 miles from Monroe, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.4 miles.
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
$27.85 one way
$55.69 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $30.34 | $60.68 |
| premium | $4.78 | $32.73 | $65.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.66 | $77.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.27 | $8.35 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.36 | $11.14 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 Tuesday
Local time
10:10 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
1 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
3h 35m 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 Monroe, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 174 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, G R Kindley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87 miles from Monroe, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.85 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (US 74; US 601 / East Roosevelt Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 20.7 miles (US 74 / W. Cliff Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Monroe, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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