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Trip from Wilmington, NC to Pinehurst, NC

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 45m

Distance

275.1 mi

443 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 32m ★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m

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 Pinehurst, NC, NC

Pinehurst, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Wilmington, NC to Pinehurst, NC covers 275.1 miles and takes about 5h 45m 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, Gastonia Dallas Highway, American Indian Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.02 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

137.5 miles from Wilmington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 275.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 45m drive with frequent turns across 275.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 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.

Driving Effort 10/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 275.1 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 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 16 key points

These 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 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 left lane. Exit 1A Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
7
219.3 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Take the exit toward US 321 North: Lincolnton

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 17B Toward US 321 North: Lincolnton

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway 91.9 mi 1h 51m
Gastonia Dallas Highway 46.2 mi 58m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
Monroe Expressway 18.4 mi 21m
I 85 17.3 mi 21m
G R Kindley Freeway 14.4 mi 15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Independence Boulevard 7.1 mi 9m
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 Pinehurst, 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

14 mi · 15 min · G R Kindley Freeway
Use the 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 straight / right lanes.
19

Continue on US 74; NC 27

0.7 mi · 44 sec · East Independence Boulevard
20

Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27

2.3 mi · 3 min · John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit onto NC 27

2.5 mi · 4 min · NC 27
Exit 1A Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive Use the left lane.
22

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Use the left lane.
23

Merge onto I 85

17 mi · 21 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 17B Toward US 321 North: Lincolnton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto US 321

0.6 mi · 51 sec · North Chester Street
Use the right lane.
26

Continue on US 321

46 mi · 58 min · Gastonia Dallas Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
28

Continue on Southwest Boulevard

4.2 mi · 6 min · Southwest Boulevard
29

Turn left onto US 64; NC 18

3.6 mi · 5 min · Morganton Boulevard
30

Turn left onto Calico Road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Calico Road
31

Turn left onto Turtle Dove Street

484 ft · 21 sec · Turtle Dove Street
32

Arrive at destination

Turtle Dove Street

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 137.5 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 2h 41m 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pinehurst, 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 275.1 miles and 5h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 137.5 mi from Wilmington, NC · 2h 41m into the drive

Downtown Waxhaw, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxhaw, NC

138 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

Cheraw, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waxhaw, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.5 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Pinehurst, NC

The final approach into Pinehurst, 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 Pinehurst, 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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 19
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.02 one way

$86.04 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $47.04 $94.08
premium $4.70 $50.92 $101.83
diesel $5.61 $60.74 $121.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.5 1 $28.89 $13.20
Efficient EV 68.8 0 $24.07 $11.00
EV Truck/SUV 110 1 $38.51 $17.61

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Wilmington, NC

Afternoon in Wilmington on Thursday

Local time

4:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Sunny

SW 13 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Pinehurst, NC

Afternoon in Pinehurst on Thursday

Local time

4:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

42 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

5h 45m 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 Pinehurst, NC covers 275.1 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, Gastonia Dallas Highway, American Indian Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.5 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 $43.02 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 16 significant decision points across 275.1 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 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 Pinehurst, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Pinehurst, NC to Wilmington, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

275.4 mi 5h 44m

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