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Trip from Wilmington, NC to Clinton, NC

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 25m

Distance

61.6 mi

99 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

12 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 19m ★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clinton, NC, NC

Clinton, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Wilmington, NC to Clinton, NC covers 61.6 miles and takes about 1h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 421, US 17, Stetson Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.1 miles on US 421. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.63 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

30.8 miles from Wilmington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 1h 25m highway drive covering 61.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 421 and US 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.1 miles on US 421.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 421 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and US 17. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 17; US 76; US 421.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 17; US 76; US 421): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 17; US 76; US 421

Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421

Navigation decision point

5
1 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 421

Take the exit onto US 421

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
57.7 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | US 421

Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 421 North
6
60.1 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward Warsaw

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Warsaw
5
61.4 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | West Main Street

Turn right onto West Main Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 421 59.1 mi 1h 20m
US 17 0.8 mi 1m
Stetson Street 0.5 mi 1m
Tram Road 0.3 mi <1m
West Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
South 3rd Street 0.2 mi <1m
West Butler Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
West Elizabeth Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 421 — 59.1 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Clinton, NC.

1

Start on US 17 Business

372 ft · 14 sec · South 3rd Street
2

Continue on US 17 Business

508 ft · 23 sec · South 3rd Street
3

Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 17; US 76; US 421
4

Take the exit onto US 421

57 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 421
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit onto US 421

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 421
Toward US 421 North Use the right lane.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Warsaw Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn right onto Tram Road

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Tram Road
8

Continue on West Butler Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · West Butler Avenue
9

Turn left onto Stetson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Stetson Street
10

Turn right onto West Elizabeth Street

505 ft · 13 sec · West Elizabeth Street
11

Turn left onto South Chestnut Street

419 ft · 12 sec · South Chestnut Street
12

Turn right onto West Main Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Main Street
13

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

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 30.8 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 61.6 miles or 1h 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 30.8 miles or 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 61.6 miles and 1h 25m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 421 for about 59.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.8 mi from Wilmington, NC · 42m into the drive

city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Goldsboro, NC

31 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

Goldsboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Goldsboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.8 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clinton, NC

The final approach into Clinton, 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 Clinton, NC.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 17
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.63 one way

$19.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $10.53 $21.07
premium $4.70 $11.40 $22.80
diesel $5.61 $13.60 $27.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

12 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Tesla Supercharger

Leland, NC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Capital Ford Wilmington

Wilmington, NC

Blink Network

4 DCFC

CircleK - Belville, NC

Belville, NC

CIRCLE_K

4 DCFC

Bob King Buick GMC

Wilmington, NC

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Blacks Tire Service

Wilmington, NC

EV Connect

2 DCFC

City of Clinton

Clinton, NC

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Capital Nissan - Wilmington

Wilmington, NC

Non-Networked

1 DCFC

GPM INVESTMENTS 3262 DC 2

Wilmington, NC

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 4 EV Connect: 3 Non-Networked: 1 Blink Network: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 Tesla: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.5 0 $6.47 $2.96
Efficient EV 15.4 0 $5.39 $2.46
EV Truck/SUV 24.6 0 $8.62 $3.94

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Wilmington, NC

Night in Wilmington on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clinton, NC

Night in Clinton on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

91°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

27 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

1h 25m 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 Clinton, NC covers 61.6 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 421, US 17, Stetson Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.8 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 $9.63 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 17; US 76; US 421): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wilmington, NC to Clinton, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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