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Trip from Wilmington, NC to Mulberry, NC

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

286.1 mi

460 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 26m ★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m

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 Mulberry, NC, NC

Mulberry, NC

Chris F

Trip Overview

The drive from Wilmington, NC to Mulberry, NC covers 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, US 220, US 421 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.3 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.74 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

143.1 miles from Wilmington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

The drive from Wilmington, NC to Mulberry, NC covers 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 39m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 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 80.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 128.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 286.1 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 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.4 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.2 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

7
128.1 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 311 Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
134.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
192.2 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | I 74

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 80 Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
8
231.6 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Take the exit toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 188 Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
7
231.8 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 North: Yadkinville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Wilmington, NC and Mulberry, NC, road signs point toward Winston-Salem, Statesville and Yadkinville.

Winston-Salem

192.2 mi in | ~3h 44m | via I 74

Statesville

223.5 mi in | ~4h 19m | via I 74

Yadkinville

231.6 mi in | ~4h 30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway 80.3 mi 1h 36m
US 220 62.7 mi 1h 11m
US 421 44.7 mi 51m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
I 74 32.3 mi 37m
G R Kindley Freeway 10.5 mi 11m
I 40 7.2 mi 8m
Sparta Road 4.8 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 80.3 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Mulberry, 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 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
6

Continue on US 74

20 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74

11 mi · 11 min · G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 311 Toward US 1: Rockingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn right onto US 1

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 1
Use the right lane.
10

Turn straight onto US 220

4.4 mi · 6 min · US 220
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 220

0.4 mi · 36 sec · US 220
Use the left lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 220

58 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

31 mi · 35 min · I 74
Exit 80 Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
15

Merge onto I 40

7.2 mi · 8 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 188 Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto US 421

45 mi · 51 min · US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 421 Business, NC 115: North Wilkesboro, Statesville
20

Keep slight right at fork

198 ft · 5 sec
Toward US 421 Business, NC 115: North Wilkesboro, Statesville
21

Turn slight right onto US 421 Business; NC 115

2.9 mi · 5 min · Statesville Road
22

Turn right onto NC 18; NC 268

1.0 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street
23

Continue on NC 18

4.8 mi · 8 min · Sparta Road
24

Arrive at destination

NC 18

Trip Plan

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 143.1 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.1 miles or 2h 49m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mulberry, 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 286.1 miles and 5h 39m.

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 80.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 143.1 mi from Wilmington, NC · 2h 49m into the drive

city in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Archdale, NC

143 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

Fayetteville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Archdale, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.1 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 miles.

Arriving in Mulberry, NC

The final approach into Mulberry, 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 Mulberry, 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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 19.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.74 one way

$89.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $48.92 $97.84
premium $4.70 $52.95 $105.90
diesel $5.61 $63.17 $126.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.8 1 $30.04 $13.73
Efficient EV 71.5 0 $25.03 $11.44
EV Truck/SUV 114.4 1 $40.05 $18.31

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Mulberry, NC

Night in Mulberry on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°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

23 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

5h 39m 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 Mulberry, NC covers 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, US 220, US 421. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.1 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 $44.74 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 15 significant decision points across 286.1 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 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.4 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.2 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wilmington, NC and Mulberry, NC, road signs point toward Winston-Salem, Statesville and Yadkinville.

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