Southport, NC Road Trips
With 1 routes heading out and 5 heading in, Southport, NC works well as a modest departure point in the Southeast. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 243-mile quick runs to 243-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Southport, NC head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
6
Longest Drive
335 mi
Asheville, NC
Quickest Drive
4h 23m
Charlotte, NC
Plan Around Southport, NC
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Southport, NC is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Southport, NC
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Southport, NC
Driving from Southport, NC
Expect an average of 243 miles and about 4h 50m behind the wheel when leaving Southport, NC. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 243 miles (4h 50m), while the shortest is just 243 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Southport, NC include Winston-Salem, NC (243 mi, 4h 50m). 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 243-mile trip from Southport, NC, budget about $38 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 1 mapped routes leaving Southport, NC and 5 routes heading into Southport, NC, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 243 to 243 miles.
The longest mapped route from Southport, NC covers 243 miles and takes approximately 4h 50m. Shorter options start at just 243 miles.
The average route from Southport, NC runs about 243 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 50m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 243-mile trip from Southport, NC costs roughly $38 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Southport, NC include Winston-Salem, NC. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Southport, NC by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
4,143
Median Income
$82,792
Median Home Value
$394,900
Median Age
63.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Southport, NC at a Glance
Founded
1792
Elevation
20 ft
Area
4 mi²
City data from Wikidata (Q629993), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Southport, NC
Southport is a city on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Back in the 18th century, British settlements along this stretch of coast were afflicted by buccaneers and Spanish frigates to the point that a fortification named Fort Johnston had to be built, around which a town then called Smithville after Revolutionary War figure Benjamin Smith took shape, which eventually became known as Southport (in the hopes that it would initiate maritime traffic). But if anything Southport is a leisure and retirement haven, although granted it does have some military and nuclear power facilities nearby. It's also a filming location, such as for the movies Safe Haven and Nights in Rodanthe that you might have seen.
Franklin Square Art Gallery. An association of local artisans in varying media including paintings and pottery all displayed for your enjoyment in a beautiful historic building. Admission is free. The Southport Maritime Museum. A collection of memorabilia pertaining to the vast nautical history of Southport, the Lower Cape Fear and Southeastern North Carolina. 1 Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors' Center, 203 E Bay St (right behind the Southport Maritime Museum), ☏ +1 910 457-7927. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Old history. (updated Nov 2021) 2 Orton Plantation & Gardens. Located about halfway between Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, on the west bank of the Cape Fear River. It has been the site for many dramatic documentaries and action films.
Bella Cucina Restaurant & Lounge, 5177 Southport-Supply Rd SE (Next to Hampton Inn), ☏ +1 910 454-4540. 1 Oliver's on the Cape Fear, 101 W Bay St, ☏ +1 910 477-9299. Dining along the Cape Fear River. Hopefully Max Cady isn't peering in. (updated Nov 2021)
For vacation and long-term rentals: Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS, ☏ +1 910-278-6523, toll-free: +1-800-486-5441. 1 Riverside Motel, 103 W Bay St, ☏ +1 910 457-6701. A homey hotel with rooms overlooking the Cape Fear River. (updated Nov 2021) 2 Comfort Suites Southport - Oak Island, 4963 Southport-Supply Rd SE, ☏ +1 910 363-1107. More of a practical stay than anything. Outdoor pool on busy highway location. (updated Nov 2021)
Travel tips adapted from Southport (North Carolina) 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 Southport, NC
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