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 Gastonia, NC
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
219.6 mi
353 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gastonia, NC
Alexey Demidov
Trip Overview
Spanning 219.6 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Wilmington to Gastonia typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, making it a perfect candidate for a straightforward day trip. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and the Monroe Expressway. Expect to budget approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the starting point and the destination are located within the Southeast region, the environment remains consistent as you transition from the coast toward the interior.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
109.8 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 28% of the journey is spent on highways, the experience is far from a monotonous interstate grind. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.9 miles while traveling on the Andrew Jackson Highway, which serves as the backbone of your route. The road's personality shifts as you transition between faster highway sections and more technical local roads. Be prepared for a varied driving experience that keeps you engaged rather than cruising on autopilot.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 91.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 17; US 76; US 421.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 219.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 17; US 76; US 421): Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.3 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 17; US 76; US 421
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
132 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
165.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
199.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
|
NC 27
Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
7
217.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 91.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| I 85 | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Independence Boulevard | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| East Independence Expressway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Gastonia, 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
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 17; US 76; US 421
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on US 74; US 76
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 74
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi
·
15 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
11
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
13
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
14
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the none lane.
20
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
John Belk Freeway
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 27
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Use the none lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Merge onto I 85
15 mi
·
19 min
·
I 85
Use the none lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right onto NC 7
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ozark Avenue
Use the none lane.
26
Continue on NC 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Long Avenue
Use the none lane.
27
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight / none lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
US 29; US 74; NC 274
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with a recommended single stop, plan your schedule to account for the 4-hour and 32-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion near urban centers. Given that the route is turn-heavy, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you stay on the correct path between the American Indian Highway and the Monroe Expressway. Make the most of your flexibility by timing your single rest break around the midpoint of your drive to maximize comfort. Keep your fuel budget of $35 in mind and consider topping off your tank before hitting the more technical, local road segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 109.8 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gastonia, 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 219.6 miles and 4h 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.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Jackson Highway for about 91.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.8 mi from Wilmington, NC · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 109.8 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 miles.
Arriving in Gastonia, NC
The final approach into Gastonia, 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 Gastonia, 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
$35.14 one way
$70.29 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $38.29 | $76.58 |
| premium | $4.78 | $41.31 | $82.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.79 | $97.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.06 | $10.54 |
| Efficient EV | 54.9 | 0 | $19.22 | $8.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.8 | 1 | $30.74 | $14.05 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Gastonia, NC
Afternoon in Gastonia on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Gastonia, NC covers 219.6 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, Monroe Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.8 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 $35.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 219.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 17; US 76; US 421): Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.3 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wilmington, NC to Gastonia, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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