Trip from Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC

Drive Time

2h 32m

Distance

104.8 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC covers 104.8 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South 3rd Street, I 140 East, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.34 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 32m drive with frequent turns across 104.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

South 3rd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South 3rd Street	0 mi	0m
I 140 East	0 mi	0m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway	0 mi	0m
Market Street	0 mi	0m
KIA/MIA/POW Freeway	0 mi	0m
Louis W	0 mi	0m
Ronald W	0 mi	0m
Lejeune Boulevard	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: South 3rd Street — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on South 3rd Street

2

Continue on South 3rd Street

3

Turn right

4

Take the exit slight right

5

Take the exit right toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern

6

Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway

7

Continue on Market Street

8

Continue straight

9

Take the exit slight right

10

Merge slight left onto KIA/MIA/POW Freeway

11

Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge

12

Continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway

13

Keep slight right to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway

14

Merge slight left onto Lejeune Boulevard

15

Continue on Freedom Way

16

Continue on West Corbett Avenue

17

Continue on Cedar Point Boulevard

18

Continue on WB McLean Drive

19

Keep slight right to continue on Arendell Street

20

Continue on Arendell Street

21

Continue on Grayden Paul Bridge

22

Turn right onto Turner Street

23

Turn left onto Ann Street

24

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.4 miles

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

Final approach

Last hour of driving

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaufort, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Wilmington, NC

This is one driving day of about 104.8 miles and 2h 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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Brices Creek, NC

52 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, NC.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 52.4 mi from Wilmington, NC

Bayshore, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Brices Creek, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.4 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.96	$16.34	$32.69
midgrade	$4.43	$18.27	$36.55
premium	$4.78	$19.71	$39.43
diesel	$5.62	$23.20	$46.41

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Wilmington, NC to Beaufort, NC covers 104.8 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South 3rd Street, I 140 East, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 52.4 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 $16.34 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

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