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Trip from Lexington, 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

4h 13m

Distance

207.7 mi

334 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 0m ★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m

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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city in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States

Lexington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 207.7-mile journey from Lexington, North Carolina, to Wilmington, North Carolina, will take you approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $32. You'll primarily navigate along Andrew Jackson Highway, I-73, and American Indian Highway, offering a mixed driving experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is an excellent option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing the state of North Carolina.

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

103.8 miles from Lexington, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway 70.1 mi 1h 24m
I 73 47.2 mi 51m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
US 64 26.1 mi 34m
East Hamlet Avenue 12.8 mi 16m
US 220 4.8 mi 6m
Hamlet Avenue 3.5 mi 5m
Ocean Highway East 3.1 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 70.1 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Main Street

22 ft · 5 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto East Center Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East Center Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn left onto North Church Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Church Street
4

At end of road, turn right onto NC 8

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
5

Turn left onto West Holly Grove Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Holly Grove Road
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 64

26 mi · 34 min · US 64
Use the left lane.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 344A Toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
8

Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220

47 mi · 51 min · I 73; I 74; US 220
9

Take the exit onto US 220

4.8 mi · 6 min · US 220
Exit 22 Toward US 220 South: Rockingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto US 74 BUS

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Avenue
11

Continue on US 74 BUS

3.5 mi · 5 min · Hamlet Avenue
12

Turn left onto US 74 BUS

466 ft · 11 sec · Raleigh Street
13

Turn right onto US 74 BUS

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Spring Street
14

Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue

13 mi · 16 min · East Hamlet Avenue
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

10 mi · 10 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on US 74

34 mi · 36 min · American Indian Highway
17

Continue on US 74; NC 130

60 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76

3.1 mi · 4 min · 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

For this 4-hour, 13-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lexington to maximize your daylight hours upon arrival in Wilmington. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to break up the journey as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a break. The estimated fuel cost of $32 is a helpful budget guide, but always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 70.1-mile stretch on Andrew Jackson Highway. Since this is a single-day drive, you can afford to be flexible with your timing and stop whenever convenient.

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 103.8 miles from Lexington, NC, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 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 46 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 26m

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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, NC

This is one driving day of about 207.7 miles and 4h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Lexington, 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 70.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockingham, NC

104 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

Troy, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laurinburg, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.8 miles from Lexington, 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 70.1 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Laurinburg, NC

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

EvGateway Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Laurinburg, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Whiteville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Hamlet Depot & Museums

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hamlet, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19105820603

Visit website

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19102772456

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 100 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Center Street

Turn right onto East Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 64

At end of road, turn right onto US 64

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
28 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 344A Toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Roc...
7
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | US 220

Take the exit onto US 220 toward US 220 South: Rockingham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 22 Toward US 220 South: Rockingham
6
100 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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

$32.48 one way

$64.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $35.51 $71.03
premium $4.70 $38.44 $76.88
diesel $5.61 $45.86 $91.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.3 0 $21.81 $9.97
Efficient EV 51.9 0 $18.17 $8.31
EV Truck/SUV 83.1 1 $29.08 $13.29

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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 20, 2026

Origin

Lexington, NC

Morning in Lexington on Tuesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wilmington, NC

Morning in Wilmington on Tuesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Rockingham, NC

104 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

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

4h 13m 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

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 ~30 min detour Free near mile 193.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route presents a mixed driving profile, with 38% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of both faster-paced roads and more local thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 70.1 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a significant period of consistent driving before potential changes in road type. Expect the road character to evolve throughout the trip, transitioning between different highway designations and potentially more rural or suburban segments as you approach Wilmington.

38% 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: 70.1 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Center Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 64): Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Lexington, NC

Full guide →

Lexington, North Carolina, is the self-proclaimed "Barbecue Capital of the World". Besides its famous barbecue, celebrated at the annual Lexington Barbecue Festival in October, Lexington is also distinctive for all the statues of pigs it has downtown.

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 4h 13m. Total distance: 207.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (38%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.1 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 64): Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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