Lowell, NC to Wilmington, NC is 214.6 miles and takes about 4h 25m via Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's primarily on surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. With only one recommended stop and a straightforward route, this is a good option for a single-day drive when you want to get to your destination without a lot of highway time.
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
107.3 miles from Lowell, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi
10m
East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,222 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~638 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 Lowell, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on NC 7
0.1 mi·21 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto NC 7
0.1 mi·28 sec·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto NC 7
0.8 mi·1 min·McAdenville Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 85 North: CharlotteUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 85
4.0 mi·4 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
6
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft·11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America StadiumUse the left / right lanes.
9
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
10
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
14
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
20
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
21
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
23
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
24
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
25
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
27
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
31
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
33
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
34
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 25m drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic. Since the route is mostly surface roads and under 5 hours, you have flexibility with stops. The recommended one stop is sufficient for a break, but you can easily add more if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Wilmington, with an estimated cost of $33 for the trip. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition from Andrew Jackson Highway to American Indian Highway, as this marks a significant change in road type and speed.
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 107.3 miles from Lowell, NC, or about 2h 19m 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 47 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 2h 19m 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 37m
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 Lowell, 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 Lowell, NC
This is one driving day of about 214.6 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Lowell, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 30.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|NC 7 / North Main Street
Turn left onto NC 7 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
13.7 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
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 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
13.9 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
8
17.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Bou...
9
30.8 mi into trip|~42m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.68 one way
$63.37 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.82
$69.64
premium
$4.49
$37.95
$75.90
diesel
$4.80
$40.52
$81.04
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: 75.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
Efficient EV
53.7
0
$18.78
$8.58
EV Truck/SUV
85.8
1
$30.04
$13.73
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lowell, NC
Morning
in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
NNE 1 to 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:26AM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:26AM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Morning
in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 12 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:26AM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:26AM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
90°F
Monroe, NC
107 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 25m 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 199.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 20% of your time on highways, with the majority of the 214.6 miles on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. After this, you'll transition to American Indian Highway and other surface roads, encountering more local traffic and slower speeds. Be prepared for frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you move through towns.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 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
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 0.1 miles in near NC 7 / North Main Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 214.6 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 0.1 miles (NC 7 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
783 ft36 ft
Total Climb
207 ft
Total Descent
953 ft
Highest Point
783 ft
Elevation Range
747 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lowell, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte and Bank Of America Stadium.
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 25m. Total distance: 214.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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 4 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (NC 7 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
