Origin
Enfield, NC
Morning in Enfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Enfield, NC to Wilmington, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
161.4 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Enfield, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Enfield, NC to Wilmington, NC is 161.4 miles and takes about 3h 8m via I-95 and I-40, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward and efficient trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route between these two points without extensive detours.
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
80.7 miles from Enfield, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 64.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 95 | 33.4 mi | 35m |
| I 795 | 21 mi | 22m |
| US 13 | 20.2 mi | 26m |
| I 587 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| NC 481 | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| NC 581 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Market Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 64.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Enfield, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on NC 481 Business
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Whitfield Street
2
Turn straight onto NC 481 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenview Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto NC 481
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 481
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
5
Merge onto I 95
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 95
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I-795 South, US 264: Goldsboro, Raleigh, Wilson
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 795 East, US 264 East
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 264 East, I 587 East, I 795 South
9
Merge onto I 587; I 795; US 264
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 587; I 795; US 264
10
Take the exit onto I 795
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 795
Exit 23
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 795
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 795
12
Continue on NC 581
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 581
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 13; US 117 Connector
20 mi
·
26 min
·
US 13; US 117 Connector
14
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 40
15
Merge onto I 40
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 40
16
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Road
17
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
18
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kerr Avenue
19
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Market Street
20
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 16th Street
21
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Wooster Street
22
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 3 hours, this is easily a same-day trip. Leaving early in the morning, perhaps between 8 and 9 AM, will allow you to avoid the heaviest traffic and have ample daylight. Plan for one brief stop, as the longest stretch without a major exit is about 64.6 miles. Given the relatively short distance and highway focus, fuel stops are straightforward; there are plenty of services along I-40. Consider topping off your tank before you leave Enfield to maximize your flexibility.
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 80.7 miles from Enfield, NC, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 33m 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 31m
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 Enfield, 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 Enfield, NC
This is one driving day of about 161.4 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Enfield, 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 I 40 for about 64.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.7 miles from Enfield, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 44.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
NC 481
At end of road, turn right onto NC 481
Navigation decision point
5
39.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward I-795 South, US 264: Goldsboro, Raleigh, Wilson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-795 South, US 264: Goldsboro, Raleigh,...
6
39.7 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 795 East, US 264 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 795 East, US 264 East
6
40.1 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 264 East, I 587 East, I 795 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 264 East, I 587 East, I 795 South
4
44.8 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 795
Take the exit onto I 795
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 23
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.24 one way
$50.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.60 | $55.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.87 | $59.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.64 | $71.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.95 | $7.75 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.12 | $6.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.60 | $10.33 |
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
Morning in Wilmington on Tuesday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Mount Olive, NC
81 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
27 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
3h 8m 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 highway-heavy route, with 95% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 64.6 miles on I-40, indicating a substantial period of consistent highway cruising. The drive will transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, likely marked by an increase in exits and local traffic. Expect a predominantly rural feel for much of the drive, with fewer urban complexities until you get closer to Wilmington.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near NC 481.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 161.4 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 1.5 miles (NC 481): Navigation decision point; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Enfield, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Raleigh and Wilson.
Raleigh
39.5 mi in
|
~45m
Wilson
39.5 mi in
|
~45m
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 3h 8m. Total distance: 161.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (NC 481): Navigation decision point; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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