Origin
Wilmington, NC
Afternoon in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
104.8 mi
169 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beaufort, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
If you are planning a coastal getaway from Wilmington to Beaufort, you are looking at a 104.8-mile trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. Since this is a relatively short journey, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, though you have the flexibility to extend your stay if you prefer a slower pace. You will navigate a mix of local roads, including South 3rd Street, I-140 East, and the John Jay Burney Jr. Freeway, keeping your fuel budget to a modest $16. Both cities are located within the Southeast region of North Carolina, ensuring a consistent coastal atmosphere throughout your transit. It is a straightforward trip that avoids the complexity of long-distance planning, making it an excellent choice for a weekend escape.
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
52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway share. You will navigate through various local thoroughfares, meaning your attention will remain focused on the road rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. In fact, the longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on South 3rd Street, emphasizing the technical nature of the navigation required to reach your destination. While the drive is not a high-speed highway sprint, the constant changes in direction keep the experience engaging. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that requires you to stay alert through the various local transitions between these two North Carolina towns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 3rd Street 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 Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC is easy. At 2h 32m 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 Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 140 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John Jay Burney Jr Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| KIA/MIA/POW Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Louis W | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ronald W | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lejeune Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South 3rd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Beaufort, NC.
1
Start on South 3rd Street
371 ft
·
14 sec
·
South 3rd Street
2
Continue on South 3rd Street
509 ft
·
23 sec
·
South 3rd Street
3
Turn right
0.8 mi
·
1 min
4
Take the exit slight right
4.3 mi
·
5 min
5
Take the exit right toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
6
Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12 mi
·
12 min
·
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
7
Continue on Market Street
9.1 mi
·
14 min
·
Market Street
8
Continue straight
29 mi
·
39 min
9
Take the exit slight right
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
10
Merge slight left onto KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
11
Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
12
Continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
14
Merge slight left onto Lejeune Boulevard
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
15
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Freedom Way
16
Continue on West Corbett Avenue
3.2 mi
·
7 min
·
West Corbett Avenue
17
Continue on Cedar Point Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Cedar Point Boulevard
18
Continue on WB McLean Drive
16 mi
·
23 min
·
WB McLean Drive
19
Keep slight right to continue on Arendell Street
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Arendell Street
20
Continue on Arendell Street
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Arendell Street
21
Continue on Grayden Paul Bridge
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Grayden Paul Bridge
22
Turn right onto Turner Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Turner Street
23
Turn left onto Ann Street
299 ft
·
10 sec
·
Ann Street
24
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this 104.8-mile drive involves significant local navigation, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy sections. Leaving Wilmington during off-peak hours will help you manage the local roads more comfortably, as traffic patterns can influence your transit time. Budgeting around $16 for fuel is a safe estimate, but be sure to fill up before leaving urban areas to avoid any mid-trip stress. Since the trip is short enough to complete in one day, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever you like without feeling rushed. A top tip for this route is to keep a close eye on your GPS, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be making frequent turns to stay on track.
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 52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 1h 16m 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 80 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaufort, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC
This is one driving day of about 104.8 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wilmington, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.4 mi from Wilmington, NC · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Beaufort, NC
The final approach into Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, 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
$16.77 one way
$33.54 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $18.27 | $36.55 |
| premium | $4.78 | $19.71 | $39.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.28 | $46.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.4 | 0 | $11.00 | $5.03 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.17 | $4.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.71 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Beaufort, NC
Afternoon in Beaufort on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
3 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
2h 32m 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 Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC covers 104.8 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South 3rd Street, I 140 East, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.77 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.
The drive from Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC is easy. At 2h 32m 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 Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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