Origin
Windsor, NC
Evening in Windsor on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Windsor, NC to Wilmington, NC
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
161 mi
259 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Windsor, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Traveling from Windsor to Wilmington covers 161 miles across southeastern North Carolina. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $26, it is an affordable journey that stays entirely within the state. Because the route is highway-focused, you will spend most of your time on US 17, US 13, and the Wilmington Highway. This trip is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stop. It is a straightforward transit between two southeastern NC points that prioritizes efficiency over complexity.
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
80.5 miles from Windsor, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with 74% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 17, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 87.5 miles. While the route transitions between different corridors, the experience remains consistent as you navigate through the coastal plain. Unlike winding backroads, this path keeps you moving steadily toward your destination with minimal technical driving requirements. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel focused on these primary arteries, ensuring a predictable experience from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Wilmington Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.6 miles in near US 17.
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 161 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 15.6 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles (US 17 Business / Wilmington Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
15.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 17
Turn right onto US 17
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
6
103.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
US 17 Business / Wilmington Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Business / Wilmington Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
154.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
6
155.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
US 421
Turn right onto US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 87.5 mi | 1h 51m |
| Wilmington Highway | 24.9 mi | 34m |
| US 13 | 14.1 mi | 19m |
| John Jay Burney Jr Freeway | 12.4 mi | 13m |
| Washington Post Road | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| US 421 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| North Marine Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Weyerhaeuser Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 87.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on East Granville Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Granville Street
2
Continue on US 13 BUS; NC 308
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 13 BUS; NC 308
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
4
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 13; US 17
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 17
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 17
6
Turn right onto US 17
35 mi
·
43 min
·
US 17
Use the none lane.
7
Turn slight left onto US 17
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 17
8
Turn right onto NC 43
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Weyerhaeuser Road
9
Continue on NC 43
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Washington Post Road
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
11
Merge onto US 17; US 70
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 17; US 70
12
Take the exit onto US 17
30 mi
·
37 min
·
US 17
Toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Marine Boulevard
14
Continue on US 17 Business
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Marine Boulevard
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Business
25 mi
·
34 min
·
Wilmington Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 17; NC 210
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 17; NC 210
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on NC 140
12 mi
·
13 min
·
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
20
Turn right onto US 421
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 421
Use the right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 421
22
Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Ocean Highway East
23
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
24
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 3rd Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3.5-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without feeling rushed. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the longest leg of the drive covers more than half the total distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when entering the longer stretches of US 17 to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Because you are heading toward the Wilmington area, consider timing your arrival to avoid peak local traffic congestion. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a smooth, efficient arrival at your destination.
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 80.5 miles from Windsor, NC, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.5 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Windsor, 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 Windsor, NC
This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Windsor, 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 US 17 for about 87.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.5 mi from Windsor, NC · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80.5 miles from Windsor, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.5 miles.
Arriving in Wilmington, NC
The final approach into Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, 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
$25.77 one way
$51.53 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $28.07 | $56.15 |
| premium | $4.78 | $30.29 | $60.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.77 | $71.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.73 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.09 | $6.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.54 | $10.30 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Evening in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
5:16 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
1 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
3h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Windsor, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 161 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, Wilmington Highway, US 13. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.5 miles from Windsor, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.77 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 161 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 15.6 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles (US 17 Business / Wilmington Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Windsor, NC to Wilmington, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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