Origin
Wendell, NC
Afternoon in Wendell on Friday
Local time
12:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wendell, NC to Wilmington, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
134.7 mi
217 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 30m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wendell, NC
Kyle Miller
Trip Overview
Wendell, NC to Wilmington, NC is 134.7 miles and takes about 2h 40m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, taking you from the Southeast region to the Southeast coast. It's a straightforward, largely highway-focused journey perfect for a single-day trip. Expect this route to be efficient, getting you to your destination without much fuss. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B quickly within the state.
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
67.4 miles from Wendell, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 134.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 40. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 107.3 miles on I 40, making for a consistent driving pace for a significant portion of the trip. While the majority is highway, the route also incorporates sections of Veterans Parkway and Covered Bridge Road, offering a slight change in scenery and road type as you approach your destination. The profile suggests a drive where efficiency on the interstate is key.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 107.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Veterans Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 17 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 (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West Haywood Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Eagle Rock Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Haywood Street
Turn right onto West Haywood Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Eagle Rock Road
At end of road, turn left onto Eagle Rock Road
Navigation decision point
5
14.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Veterans Parkway
Turn right onto Veterans Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
20.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 107.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| Veterans Parkway | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Covered Bridge Road | 4 mi | 5m |
| Medlin Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Market Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Shotwell Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Lake Glad Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Amelia Church Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wendell, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on East 3rd Street
40 ft
·
7 sec
·
East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn right onto West Haywood Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Haywood Street
4
Continue on Lake Glad Road
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Glad Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto Eagle Rock Road
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Eagle Rock Road
6
Continue on Buffalo Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Buffalo Road
7
Turn right onto Lake Wendell Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Lake Wendell Road
8
Turn left onto Medlin Road
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Medlin Road
9
Turn right onto Covered Bridge Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Covered Bridge Road
10
Continue on North O'Neil Street
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North O'Neil Street
11
Turn right onto Covered Bridge Road
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Covered Bridge Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto Shotwell Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Shotwell Road
13
Turn right onto Amelia Church Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Amelia Church Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto Veterans Parkway
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Veterans Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East: Benson
16
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
17
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Road
18
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
19
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kerr Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Market Street
21
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 16th Street
22
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Wooster Street
23
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 40m duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Leaving in the morning from Wendell, NC, will give you ample time to arrive in Wilmington, NC, with daylight to spare. You'll encounter one main stretch of highway, so plan for minimal stops; however, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 107.3-mile mark on I 40. The $21 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to top off before you set out. Flexibility is your friend on this route, allowing you to depart on your schedule.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.4 miles from Wendell, NC, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 30 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 9m
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 Wendell, 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 Wendell, NC
This is one driving day of about 134.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Wendell, 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 107.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.4 mi from Wendell, NC · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Wendell, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.06 one way
$42.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.03 | $46.06 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.93 | $49.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.14 | $6.47 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.79 | $5.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.86 | $8.62 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Wilmington on Friday
Local time
12:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Mount Olive, NC
67 mi in
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
20 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
2h 40m 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 Wendell, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 134.7 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Veterans Parkway, Covered Bridge Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.4 miles from Wendell, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.06 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West Haywood Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Eagle Rock Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Wendell, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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