The drive from Pinehurst, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 275.4 miles and takes about 5h 44m 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, Hickory Boulevard, American Indian Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.07 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
137.7 miles from Pinehurst, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 275.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 44m drive with frequent turns across 275.4 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.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 91 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 275.4 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 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
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 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
8
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Bou...
9
91.6 mi into trip|~2h in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
6
167.7 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pinehurst, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
Charlotte
74.5 mi in|~1h 37m
Bank Of America Stadium
74.7 mi in|~1h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
Hickory Boulevard
46.3 mi
58m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
10.2 mi
12m
Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pinehurst, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Turtle Dove Street
484 ft·23 sec·Turtle Dove Street
2
Turn right onto Calico Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Calico Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 64; NC 18
3.6 mi·5 min·Morganton Boulevard Southwest
4
Turn straight
270 ft·9 sec
5
Turn straight onto Southwest Boulevard
4.3 mi·6 min·Southwest Boulevard
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
7
Merge onto US 321
46 mi·58 min·Hickory Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 321
0.4 mi·41 sec·North Chester Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 85 North: Charlotte
10
Merge onto I 85
10 mi·12 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft·11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America StadiumUse the left / right lanes.
14
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
15
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
19
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
25
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
26
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
28
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
29
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
30
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
32
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
36
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
37
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
38
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
39
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
40
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 137.7 miles from Pinehurst, NC, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91 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 61 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.7 miles or 3h 2m 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 42m
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 Pinehurst, 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 Pinehurst, NC
This is one driving day of about 275.4 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Pinehurst, 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 91 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.7 mi from Pinehurst, NC
· 3h 2m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 256.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.6
1
$28.92
$13.22
Efficient EV
68.9
0
$24.10
$11.02
EV Truck/SUV
110.2
1
$38.56
$17.63
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Pinehurst, NC
Evening
in Pinehurst on Thursday
Local time
6:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Evening
in Wilmington on Thursday
Local time
6:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SW 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 12:59PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
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
42 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
5h 44m 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 Pinehurst, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 275.4 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, Hickory Boulevard, American Indian Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.7 miles from Pinehurst, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.07 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 demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 275.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pinehurst, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
