Origin
Sea Breeze, NC
Evening in Sea Breeze on Wednesday
Local time
7:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.6 mi
20 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sea Breeze, NC
Peter Xie
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from Sea Breeze to Wilmington, this 12.6-mile journey is an ideal day trip. You can easily complete the drive in about 20 minutes, making it a highly efficient connection within the Southeast region of North Carolina. Since the route requires no overnight stops and involves zero highway driving, it is a straightforward commute rather than a long-haul excursion. Budgeting about $2 for fuel will comfortably cover the distance, leaving you plenty of resources for your destination. Because the trip is so brief, you have total flexibility to head out whenever it best suits your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
6.3 miles from Sea Breeze, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience on this path. You will navigate primarily via Carolina Beach Road, Burnett Boulevard, and South 3rd Street to reach your destination. With a 0% highway share, the road maintains a consistent local pace throughout the entire 12.6-mile stretch. There are no exceptionally long, uninterrupted segments, so stay alert for frequent turns as you transition between these specific local arteries. It is a functional, no-frills drive that keeps you connected to the local street grid from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Carolina Beach Road 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Beach Road | — | — |
| Burnett Boulevard | — | — |
| South 3rd Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Carolina Beach Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sea Breeze, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Seabreeze Road South
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Seabreeze Road South
2
Turn right onto Carolina Beach Road
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
3
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Carolina Beach Road
4
Take the exit slight right
489 ft
·
12 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Burnett Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Burnett Boulevard
6
Continue on South 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 3rd Street
7
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 20-minute trip, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or scheduled rest stops. You can depart at your convenience, though keeping an eye on local traffic patterns along Carolina Beach Road is a smart way to ensure a smooth arrival. Because the total fuel cost is estimated at just $2, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Sea Breeze without breaking your budget. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by heading directly to your final destination in Wilmington. Planning for a quick, direct trip allows you to maximize your time once you arrive.
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 6.3 miles from Sea Breeze, NC, or about 10m 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 12.6 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.3 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Sea Breeze, NC.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sea Breeze, NC
This is one driving day of about 12.6 miles and 20m.
At 12.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.3 mi from Sea Breeze, NC · 10m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.3 miles from Sea Breeze, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wilmington, NC
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Wilmington, NC if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.97 one way
$3.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $2.15 | $4.31 |
| premium | $4.70 | $2.33 | $4.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.78 | $5.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Evening in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
7:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 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
20m 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 Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 12.6 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Carolina Beach Road, Burnett Boulevard, South 3rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.3 miles from Sea Breeze, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.97 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.
The drive from Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sea Breeze, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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