Trip from Hemby Bridge, NC to Wilmington, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

182.6 mi

294 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 30m ★

6 AM

3h 43m

8 AM

4h 8m

10 AM

3h 52m

12 PM

3h 49m

3 PM

3h 53m

5 PM

4h 7m

8 PM

3h 35m

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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Hemby Bridge, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 182.6-mile journey from Hemby Bridge, North Carolina, to Wilmington, North Carolina, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it offers an economical way to connect two points within the Southeast region. The route features a significant portion on local roads, suggesting a more engaged driving experience rather than a simple interstate cruise. Consider this a straightforward drive that allows for flexibility in your timing, as it's well within the scope of a day trip.

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

91.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway	91 mi	1h 50m
American Indian Highway	33.6 mi	36m
Monroe Expressway	16.4 mi	19m
G R Kindley Freeway	14.9 mi	16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway	12.8 mi	17m
Ocean Highway East	3.1 mi	4m
West Marshville Boulevard	2.9 mi	5m
Carroll M. Edwards Highway	2.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 91 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hemby Bridge, NC and Wilmington, NC.

Start on Indian Trail Fairview Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Indian Trail Fairview Road

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 74 BYP

16 mi · 19 min · Monroe Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 74

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 74

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard

Continue on US 74

2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Continue on US 74

6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

0.7 mi · 1 min · Salisbury Street

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

2.4 mi · 4 min · West Caswell Street

Continue on US 74

10 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74

1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Toward US 74 East: Lumberton

Continue on US 74

15 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 74

9.7 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

10 mi · 10 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 74

34 mi · 36 min · American Indian Highway

Continue on US 74; NC 130

60 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76

3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East

Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South 3rd Street

Arrive at destination

US 17 Business

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 42 minutes for this 182.6-mile drive, leaving Hemby Bridge in the morning will comfortably get you to Wilmington well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to pause. The fuel cost is projected at $29, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route; while the longest stretch is 91 miles, be prepared for frequent changes in direction and local road conditions throughout the journey.

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 91.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC, or about 1h 53m 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 40 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.3 miles or 1h 53m 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 1m

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 Hemby Bridge, 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 Hemby Bridge, NC

This is one driving day of about 182.6 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Hemby Bridge, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hamlet, NC

91 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

Rockingham, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lumberton, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91 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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 74.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham

1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway

Merge onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

17.5 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway

Merge onto US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway

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

Use the straight lane.

49.3 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 East: Lumberton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 74 East: Lumberton

74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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

$28.55 one way

$57.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$31.22	$62.44
premium	$4.70	$33.80	$67.59
diesel	$5.61	$40.32	$80.63

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: 63.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	54.8	$19.17	$8.76
Efficient EV	45.7	$15.98	$7.30
EV Truck/SUV	73	$25.56	$11.69

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% 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

Hemby Bridge, NC

Morning in Hemby Bridge on Tuesday

Local time

7:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Clear

SW 6 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:26PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:16PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Destination

Wilmington, NC

Morning in Wilmington on Tuesday

Local time

7:12 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

18 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 42m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the majority of this 182.6-mile trip, as indicated by its 17% highway share. While there are some highway segments, the character is largely defined by local roads, including Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving before traffic patterns or road types might shift. This profile suggests a route where you'll be navigating more turns and potentially varying speed limits as you move through different communities.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

21 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?

8/10

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 0.9 miles in.

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 8 significant decision points across 182.6 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles (US 74 / Carroll M. Edwards Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 42m. Total distance: 182.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 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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Explore more options from Hemby Bridge, NC or browse trips ending in Wilmington, NC.

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Trip from Hemby Bridge, NC to Wilmington, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hemby Bridge, NC

Wilmington, NC

Same local time

18 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 42m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Wilmington, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Wilmington, NC

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