This 228.7-mile journey from Lake Norman of Catawba to Wilmington, North Carolina, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with NC 218 also playing a role. With a highway share of 35%, expect a mixed driving experience rather than a constant interstate cruise. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $36. This drive is a good option if you're looking to get from the Southeast region of NC to another part of the same region without a significant time commitment.
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
114.4 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
NC 218
29.4 mi
41m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
Governor James G Martin Freeway
13 mi
13m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
7.3 mi
9m
I 77
7.1 mi
8m
H Allen Tate Jr Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-485
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,050 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Lake Norman of Catawba, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Riverwood Road
0.2 mi·43 sec·Riverwood Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Kiser Island Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Kiser Island Road
3
Turn right onto NC 150
6.4 mi·10 min·East NC 150 Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte
5
Merge onto I 77
1.4 mi·1 min·I 77
Use the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
5.7 mi·6 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21
2.5 mi·2 min·I-77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 77
2.1 mi·2 min·I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
2.3 mi·2 min·I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 77
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-77 South
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
1.1 mi·1 min·I-77 South
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 19B-AToward I 485: Pineville, MatthewsUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 485 North Inner: MatthewsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 485 North Inner: Matthews
15
Merge onto I 485
6.6 mi·7 min·H Allen Tate Jr Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 485
13 mi·13 min·Governor James G Martin Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 44Toward NC 218: Mint HillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto NC 218
1.1 mi·1 min·Fairview Road
19
Continue on NC 218
2.2 mi·3 min·NC 218
20
Enter roundabout onto NC 218
125 ft·2 sec·NC 218
21
Continue on NC 218
6.7 mi·9 min·NC 218
22
Turn slight left onto NC 218
2.8 mi·3 min·NC 218
23
Enter roundabout onto NC 218
233 ft·4 sec·NC 218
24
Continue on NC 218
4.2 mi·5 min·NC 218
25
Enter roundabout onto NC 218
126 ft·2 sec·NC 218
26
Continue on NC 218
13 mi·19 min·NC 218
27
Turn right onto NC 218
0.2 mi·28 sec·Williams Street
28
Turn right onto US 74
449 ft·7 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Take the exit
496 ft·20 sec
30
Turn left onto US 74
0.6 mi·45 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
32
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
33
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
34
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
36
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
38
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
40
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
42
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
43
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
44
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 44-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you near Wilmington. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps after completing the longest stretch of 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your fill-up accordingly, especially before heading into potentially less populated areas. The mixed nature of the drive means you'll encounter various speed limits and road types, so staying alert is key.
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 114.4 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC, or about 2h 29m 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 50 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 53m
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 Lake Norman of Catawba, 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 Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
This is one driving day of about 228.7 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 43.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|NC 150 / East NC 150 Highway
Turn right onto NC 150 / East NC 150 Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
8.7 mi into trip|~15m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.9 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
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 19B-A
Toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
8
23.1 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 485 North Inner: Matthews
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward I 485 North Inner: Matthews
7
43.7 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward NC 218: Mint Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44
Toward NC 218: Mint Hill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.76 one way
$67.53 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.11
$74.21
premium
$4.49
$40.45
$80.89
diesel
$4.80
$43.18
$86.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.6
0
$24.01
$10.98
Efficient EV
57.2
0
$20.01
$9.15
EV Truck/SUV
91.5
1
$32.02
$14.64
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
Morning
in Lake Norman of Catawba on Sunday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 8 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:05PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:03PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Morning
in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:05PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:03PM EDT until July 18 at 2:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
90°F
Monroe, NC
114 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 44m 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 213
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a blend, with 35% of it being on highways. You'll experience about 91 miles of uninterrupted driving on Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a substantial stretch to settle in. The route isn't a monotonous interstate crawl; instead, expect a mix that includes more localized routes like American Indian Highway and NC 218, which will likely present different driving conditions and pace as you progress toward the coast.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 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
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 around 0.7 miles in near NC 150 / East NC 150 Highway.
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 25 significant decision points across 228.7 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 0.7 miles (NC 150 / East NC 150 Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 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
787 ft36 ft
Total Climb
33 ft
Total Descent
784 ft
Highest Point
787 ft
Elevation Range
751 ft
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 Lake Norman of Catawba, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Matthews along the way.
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 44m. Total distance: 228.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 6 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (NC 150 / East NC 150 Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
