Calabash, NC Road Trips
With 2 routes heading out and 3 heading in, Calabash, NC works well as a modest departure point in the Southeast. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 48-mile quick runs to 183-mile cross-state drives. Routes from Calabash, NC spread mainly east and west, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
206.2 mi
Greensboro, NC
Quickest Drive
1h 5m
Wilmington, NC
Plan Around Calabash, NC
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Calabash, NC is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Calabash, NC
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Calabash, NC
Driving from Calabash, NC
Expect an average of 115 miles and about 2h 32m behind the wheel when leaving Calabash, NC. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 183 miles (3h 58m), while the shortest is just 48 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Calabash, NC include Charlotte, NC (182.6 mi, 3h 58m) and Wilmington, NC (47.9 mi, 1h 7m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in NC currently averages around $3.96 per gallon. For the typical 115-mile trip from Calabash, NC, budget about $18 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 2 mapped routes leaving Calabash, NC and 3 routes heading into Calabash, NC, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 48 to 183 miles.
The longest mapped route from Calabash, NC covers 183 miles and takes approximately 3h 58m. Shorter options start at just 48 miles.
The average route from Calabash, NC runs about 115 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 32m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 115-mile trip from Calabash, NC costs roughly $18 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Calabash, NC include Charlotte, NC and Wilmington, NC. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Calabash, NC by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
2,397
Median Income
$60,048
Median Home Value
$202,000
Median Age
54.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Calabash, NC
Calabash is a coastal community of 2,000 people (2020) in North Carolina, bordering South Carolina. Billed as "The Seafood Capital of the World", Calabash is famous for its seafood, prepared with the namesake "Calabash Style" cooking. It's worth visiting for more than the food, the town offers an abundance of shops, golf courses, and opportunities for maritime recreation, including charter fishing and boat tours.
1 Calabash Fishing Fleet, 9945 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-575-0017, toll-free: +1-866-575-0017. Offers deep-sea fishing charter and dolphin-watching cruises aboard the Navigator and the Miss Calabash. (updated Jun 2015) 2 Hurricane Fleet Charter Fishing, 9975 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-579-3660, toll-free: +1-800-373-2004, [email protected]. Hurricane Fleet provides customers with exciting nautical experiences on one of their four vessels, Hurricane II, Cyclone, Westwind, and Party Time. In addition to fishing charter, there is also a dolphin-watching cruise and a shrimping cruise. (updated Jun 2015) 3 Lucky Strike Charters, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 843-249-2049, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2015) 4 Tropical Adventure Mini Golf, 10124 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579-2226. (updated Jun 2015) 5 Sunset Beach (public parking lot at 35 E Main St, Sunset Beach). The closest sandy beach is in nearby Sunset Beach, about a 15-minute drive away. (updated Feb 2024)
1 Beck's Restaurant, 1014 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6776, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2015) 2 Calabash Creamery, 9910 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-575 1180. Th-Su noon-9PM, M 1-7PM, closed Tu W. The best ice cream in the area. Many different flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating available. (updated Feb 2024) 3 Calabash Deli, 9929 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579-9801, [email protected]. M-Sa 7AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM. (updated Jun 2015) 4 Calabash Seafood Hut, 1125 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6723. (updated Jun 2015) 5 Captain John's Seafood House, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 910-579-6011. (updated Jun 2015) 6 Dockside Seafood House, 9955 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-579-6775, [email protected]. Opens at 4PM everyday. (updated Jun 2015) 7 Ella's of Calabash, 1148 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6728. 11AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2015) 8 The Boundary House Restaurant, 1045 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-8888. (updated Jun 2015)
1 Coffee Cottage, 10152 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579 9100. M-Sa 8AM-4PM, closed Su. Excellent quality coffee in a comfortable setting. (updated Feb 2024)
1 Captain Andy's Campground, 1220 Wilson Ave SW, ☏ +1 910-579-2050. (updated Jun 2015)
Calabash is located near the state line, on the Calabash River near the coast. To get there from Myrtle Beach, take U.S. Route 17 north, then exit onto Beach Drive Southwest. From Wilmington, take U.S. Route 17 south. Being a small town, Calabash lacks its own commercial airport. The nearest airports with scheduled commercial service are in Myrtle Beach (33 miles; 54 km) and Wilmington (52 miles; 84 km).
There is no public transportation in Calabash. Getting around will generally require a car or taxis.
Travel tips adapted from Calabash on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
Trips to Calabash, NC
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