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Trip from Emerald Isle, NC to Wilmington, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

89.3 mi

144 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Emerald Isle, NC, NC

Emerald Isle, NC

William Lucord

Trip Overview

Emerald Isle, NC to Wilmington, NC is 89.3 miles and takes about 2h 9m via Wilmington Highway, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway, and Freedom Way, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within North Carolina, connecting two destinations in the Southeast region. With a relatively short duration and a low estimated fuel cost, this route is ideal for a same-day trip. You'll primarily be on well-maintained roads that make for an easy journey, allowing you to focus on getting to your destination without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.7 miles from Emerald Isle, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wilmington Highway 29.3 mi 40m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway 12.4 mi 13m
Freedom Way 9.3 mi 11m
US 17 8.8 mi 13m
Emerald Drive 8.4 mi 14m
Lejeune Boulevard 5 mi 7m
US 421 4.6 mi 6m
West Corbett Avenue 3.2 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Wilmington Highway — 29.3 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Emerald Isle, NC and Wilmington, NC.

1

Start on NC 58

5.9 mi · 10 min · Emerald Drive
Use the straight lane.
2

Enter roundabout onto NC 58

82 ft · 1 sec · Emerald Drive
3

Continue on NC 58

2.4 mi · 4 min · Emerald Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto NC 24

2.9 mi · 6 min · Cedar Point Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on NC 24

3.2 mi · 7 min · West Corbett Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on NC 24

9.3 mi · 11 min · Freedom Way
7

Continue on NC 24

5.0 mi · 7 min · Lejeune Boulevard
8

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397

2.1 mi · 2 min · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
9

Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
10

Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97

1.4 mi · 1 min · KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
11

Take the exit onto US 17; I 97

0.6 mi · 52 sec · US 17; I 97
12

Merge onto US 17

29 mi · 40 min · Wilmington Highway
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 17; NC 210

8.1 mi · 12 min · US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on NC 140

12 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
16

Turn right onto US 421

3.9 mi · 5 min · US 421
Use the right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 421
18

Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
19

Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
20

Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
21

Arrive at destination

US 17 Business

Trip Plan

Given the short drive time of just over 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will easily allow you to complete the trip within daylight hours. Since there are no recommended stops and the longest stretch is manageable, you can decide on the fly if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on Wilmington Highway is nearly 30 miles, and it's always wise to top off before heading out on any drive, especially if you plan to explore upon arrival in Wilmington.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.7 miles from Emerald Isle, NC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.3 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 20 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.7 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 52m

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 Emerald Isle, 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 Emerald Isle, NC

This is one driving day of about 89.3 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Emerald Isle, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Wilmington Highway for about 29.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Holly Ridge, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Ridge, NC

45 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.

Popular next leg

Holly Ridge, NC to Wilmington, NC

36.8 mi · 49m

Pacing Suggestions

Piney Green, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Ridge, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.7 miles from Emerald Isle, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Matter More Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hampstead, North Carolina

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 63.8

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+19108211871

Visit website

Matter More Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 63.8

Hampstead, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+19108211871

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 6.4

Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 89.3

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 89.3

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.6

Castle Hayne, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 89.3

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 12.8

Swansboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.6

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 25.5

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 83.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | NC 58 / Emerald Drive

Depart onto NC 58 / Emerald Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
8.4 mi into trip | ~14m in | NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard

Turn left onto NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
33.3 mi into trip | ~52m in | US 17 / Wilmington Highway

Merge onto US 17 / Wilmington Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
83.2 mi into trip | ~1h 59m 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
83.4 mi into trip | ~2h in | US 421

Turn right onto US 421

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.96 one way

$27.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.27 $30.54
premium $4.70 $16.53 $33.06
diesel $5.61 $19.72 $39.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.8 0 $9.38 $4.29
Efficient EV 22.3 0 $7.81 $3.57
EV Truck/SUV 35.7 0 $12.50 $5.72

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Emerald Isle, NC

Afternoon in Emerald Isle on Sunday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wilmington, NC

Afternoon in Wilmington on Sunday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

12 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

2h 9m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a mixed drive, with about 33% of the route on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving interspersed with more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.3 miles on Wilmington Highway, offering a good period of consistent travel. As you progress, the character of the drive will shift, moving from what is likely coastal roads to more urban approaches as you near Wilmington. Expect a varied driving experience that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.3 mi on Wilmington Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NC 58 / Emerald Drive.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 89.3 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: near the start (NC 58 / Emerald Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (US 17 / Wilmington Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Emerald Isle, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Carolina Beach along the way.

Carolina Beach

83.2 mi in | ~1h 59m

About the Cities

Arriving in Wilmington, NC

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 89.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.3 miles on Wilmington Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (NC 58 / Emerald Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (NC 24 / Cedar Point Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (US 17 / Wilmington Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wilmington, NC before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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