Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
47 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunset Beach, NC
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Wilmington, NC to Sunset Beach, NC covers 47 miles and takes about 1h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 17, Seaside Road Southwest, Sunset Boulevard North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.6 miles on US 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.35 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 47 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 1h 4m highway drive covering 47 miles, with most of the trip on US 17 and Seaside Road Southwest. The longest continuous stretch is about 40.6 miles on US 17.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Seaside Road Southwest. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 17; US 76; US 421.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Wilmington, NC to Sunset Beach, NC is easy. At 1h 4m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 41.3 miles (NC 904 / Seaside Road Southwest): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto NC 904 / Seaside Road Southwest
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto NC 179 Business / Sunset Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 40.6 mi | 53m |
| Seaside Road Southwest | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Sunset Boulevard North | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Sunset Boulevard South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Sunset Beach, NC.
Start on US 17 Business
Continue on US 17 Business
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
Take the exit
Continue on US 17
Turn left onto NC 904
Turn right onto NC 179 Business
Enter roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South
Continue on Sunset Boulevard South
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from Wilmington, NC · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Sunset Beach, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.35 one way
$14.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.04 | $16.07 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.70 | $17.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.38 | $20.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
9:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Sunset Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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