Origin
Graham, NC
Late night in Graham on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Graham, 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 30m
Distance
185.1 mi
298 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Graham, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 185.1-mile drive from Graham, NC to Wilmington, NC is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 30 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $29. The route primarily utilizes I-40, making it a predominantly high-speed trip with minimal need for overnights. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region of North Carolina for the entire duration. This drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours or time-consuming scenic byways.
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
92.5 miles from Graham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 149.2 mi | 2h 43m |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Market Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North College Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Harden Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Parkway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Wooster Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 149.2 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Graham, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on NC 87
61 ft
·
1 sec
·
Southwest Court Square
2
Continue on NC 87
364 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southeast Court Square
3
Turn right onto NC 87
389 ft
·
20 sec
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto NC 49; NC 54
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Harden Street
5
Enter roundabout onto NC 54
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Harden Street
6
Continue on NC 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Harden Street
7
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
8
Merge onto I 40; I 85
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
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
Given the 3-hour, 30-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. To maximize your time, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Wilmington. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an obvious exit point is 149.2 miles on I-40, so it’s wise to refuel before embarking on that segment.
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 92.5 miles from Graham, NC, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.2 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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.5 miles or 1h 46m 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 49m
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 Graham, 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 Graham, NC
This is one driving day of about 185.1 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Graham, 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 149.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.5 miles from Graham, 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 149.2 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 0.5 and 69.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NC 54 / East Harden Street
Enter roundabout onto NC 54 / East Harden Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
15.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
6
46.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.95 one way
$57.89 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $31.65 | $63.30 |
| premium | $4.70 | $34.26 | $68.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.87 | $81.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.44 | $8.88 |
| Efficient EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.20 | $7.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74 | 0 | $25.91 | $11.85 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Late night in Wilmington on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°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
4 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 30m 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?
With 95% of this drive on highways, you're in for a predominantly interstate experience. The main arteries include I-40, Sam Hunt Freeway, and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway, all designed for higher speeds and efficient travel. You'll encounter one continuous stretch of 149.2 miles on I-40, so be prepared for a long period of highway driving. This profile means you'll likely experience a consistent pace for the majority of your trip, with minimal interruptions from slower, local roads.
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: 149.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Sam Hunt Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near NC 54 / East Harden Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 185.1 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 0.5 miles (NC 54 / East Harden Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 15.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Graham, NC
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Alamance County Courthouse — county courthouse in Graham, North Carolina
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 30m. Total distance: 185.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m 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 149.2 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 0.5 miles (NC 54 / East Harden Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 15.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 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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