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Drive Time
59m
Distance
41.3 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swansboro, NC
Michael Ken
If you are looking for a straightforward coastal transit, the 41.3-mile trip from Swansboro to North Topsail Beach is a quick and manageable journey. Expect to spend about 59 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day excursion that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Wilmington Highway, Freedom Way, and Lejeune Boulevard as you travel through the Southeast region of North Carolina. With a modest estimated fuel cost of just $7, it is a budget-friendly way to move between these two coastal points. This route is best treated as a direct connector rather than a sightseeing tour, offering a practical path for those aiming to reach the beach efficiently.
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
20.6 miles from Swansboro, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
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Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Only 16% of this trip involves highway driving, so you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads and intersections. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 11.1-mile segment on Wilmington Highway, providing the only real opportunity to settle into a consistent pace. Because the route relies heavily on local thoroughfares, the character of the road changes frequently as you transition between residential and commercial zones. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires shifting gears and monitoring your surroundings more closely than a long-haul highway trek.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
65 ft
Highest Point
63 ft
~32.4 mi in
Elevation Range
52 ft
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 early in the drive near Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 59m 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.2 miles (NC 24; NC 53; I 397 / Ronald W. Reagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21 miles (US 17; I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397 / Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto US 17; I 97
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto US 17 / Wilmington Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Turn left onto NC 210 / Rifle Range Road
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Highway | 11.1 mi | 15m |
| Freedom Way | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| Lejeune Boulevard | 5 mi | 7m |
| Dixon-Sneads Ferry Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Rifle Range Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Corbett Avenue | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Ronald W. Reagan Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Hwy 210 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Swansboro, NC and North Topsail Beach, NC.
Start on South Water Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn slight left onto NC 24
Continue on NC 24
Continue on NC 24
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
Take the exit onto US 17; I 97
Merge onto US 17
Turn left onto NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short, sub-one-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 41.3-mile drive without needing any scheduled stops, though keeping your tank topped off before leaving Swansboro is a smart way to manage your $7 fuel budget. Pay close attention to your navigation when moving between Lejeune Boulevard and Freedom Way, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be disorienting if you aren't watching your GPS. Because there are no designated stops included in this itinerary, take advantage of the short duration to plan your arrival at North Topsail Beach precisely when you want it. Being prepared for frequent turns will ensure your journey remains stress-free and efficient.
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.
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 41.3 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.6 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Topsail Beach, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Swansboro, 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 Swansboro, NC
This is one driving day of about 41.3 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.6 mi from Swansboro, NC · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
A short stop after about 41.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Swansboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into North Topsail Beach, 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 North Topsail Beach, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.46 one way
$12.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| premium | $4.70 | $7.64 | $15.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.12 | $18.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.78 | $2.64 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Swansboro on Wednesday
Local time
1:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in North Topsail Beach on Wednesday
Local time
1:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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