If you are planning a trip from Belmont to Wilmington, prepare for a 211.3-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy, local drive, it is best suited for a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend about $34 on fuel for the trek, so budget accordingly before you head out. Navigating through the Southeast requires a mix of patience and focus as you transition between Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and the Monroe Expressway. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, you will find it moves at a different pace than a standard interstate commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.6 miles from Belmont, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi
10m
East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,754 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~640 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 22 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmont, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on this road
121 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Glenway Street
355 ft·19 sec·Glenway Street
3
Turn right onto NC 7
0.3 mi·39 sec·Catawba Street
4
Turn left onto NC 273
0.9 mi·1 min·Park Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 85 NorthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 85
0.4 mi·27 sec·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
7
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft·11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America StadiumUse the left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
11
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
15
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
21
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
22
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
24
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
25
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
26
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
28
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
32
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
34
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
35
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
36
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 4-hour and 21-minute duration, allowing you to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge, especially when navigating the local sections of the route, to ensure you remain within your $34 fuel budget. Given the significant portion of turn-heavy local roads, prioritize daylight travel to ensure you can clearly see the road transitions. Using your single allotted stop to refuel along the longest 91-mile stretch of the Andrew Jackson Highway is a smart way to maintain a smooth pace for the remainder of your trip.
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 105.6 miles from Belmont, NC, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.6 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
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 Belmont, 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 Belmont, NC
This is one driving day of about 211.3 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Belmont, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 91 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.4 and 103.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.4 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
8
14.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Bou...
9
27.5 mi into trip|~38m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
6
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.20 one way
$62.39 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.28
$68.56
premium
$4.49
$37.37
$74.74
diesel
$4.80
$39.90
$79.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.4
0
$22.19
$10.14
Efficient EV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
EV Truck/SUV
84.5
1
$29.58
$13.52
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Belmont, NC
Morning
in Belmont on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
WSW 2 to 7 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Morning
in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
SW 9 to 14 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
90°F
Monroe, NC
106 mi in
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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 196.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience defined by its turn-heavy local nature, as only 20% of this route consists of traditional highways. You will spend the majority of your time navigating regional roads rather than coasting on a monotonous interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 91-mile segment along the Andrew Jackson Highway, which serves as the backbone of your trip. Because the route is not dominated by high-speed transit, you should stay alert for frequent transitions between local thoroughfares. This is a hands-on drive that rewards drivers who prefer navigating local terrain over the repetitive nature of highway cruising.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 211.3 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 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
682 ft36 ft
Total Climb
87 ft
Total Descent
732 ft
Highest Point
682 ft
~15.1 mi in
Elevation Range
646 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belmont, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
Charlotte
10.6 mi in|~14m
Bank Of America Stadium
10.6 mi in|~14m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Wilmington is a city in the southeastern part of North Carolina. It is the county seat of New Hanover County, and home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Memorial, the Cape Fear Museum, Airlie Gardens, and a large historic district. It is convenient to nearby beaches, and is a relatively short drive from the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, SC, and the I-95 corridor.
Top landmarks
•USS North Carolina — 1940 North Carolina-class battleship moored in Wilmington, North Carolina
•Fort Fisher — Confederate fort in Wilmington, North Carolina
•Bellamy Mansion — mansion in Wilmington, North Carolina, US
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 211.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Wilmington, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
