Madison, NC to Wilmington, NC is 234 miles and takes about 4h 32m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route is primarily highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Expect a largely uninterrupted transit, suitable for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
117 miles from Madison, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
180.4 mi
3h 19m
Greensboro Urban Loop
13.6 mi
15m
US 220
13.1 mi
19m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11.3 mi
12m
I 73
4 mi
4m
Market Street
2.3 mi
4m
East Academy Street
1.2 mi
2m
North College Road
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 180.4 mi, about 3h 19m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,675 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,146
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
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 Madison, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on US 220 Business; NC 704
23 ft·7 sec·South Market Street
2
Turn left onto US 311; US 220 Business; NC 704
1.2 mi·2 min·East Academy Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
4
Merge onto US 220
5.3 mi·7 min·US 220
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 220
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
0.5 mi·41 sec·US 220
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 73; US 220
4.0 mi·4 min·I 73; US 220
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
7.2 mi·11 min·US 220
Exit 119Toward US 220 South: GreensboroUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 840
14 mi·15 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 40, I 85 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, I 85 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 40
31 mi·36 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi·34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: RaleighUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi·10 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 40
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
21
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi·1 min·North College Road
22
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
23
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Kerr Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi·4 min·Market Street
25
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South 16th Street
26
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi·2 min·Wooster Street
27
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft·2 sec·South 3rd Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip, aim for an early morning departure from Madison to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a total drive time of around 4.5 hours, you might only need one brief stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch on I 40 means you can cover significant ground before needing to pull over. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Wilmington, as services can become more spaced out on certain highway sections.
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 117 miles from Madison, NC, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.4 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117 miles or 2h 21m 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 41m
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 Madison, 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 Madison, NC
This is one driving day of about 234 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Madison, 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 180.4 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 118 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11.5 mi into trip|~15m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward US 220 South: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 119
Toward US 220 South: Greensboro
7
32.6 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward I 40, I 85 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40, I 85 North
8
32.8 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East, I 85 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North
7
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
8
118 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
$34.55 one way
$69.09 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.97
$75.93
premium
$4.49
$41.38
$82.77
diesel
$4.80
$44.18
$88.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.2
0
$24.57
$11.23
Efficient EV
58.5
0
$20.48
$9.36
EV Truck/SUV
93.6
1
$32.76
$14.98
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Madison, NC
Late night
in Madison on Monday
Local time
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:49AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Late night
in Wilmington on Monday
Local time
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:49AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
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 32m 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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 209.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 180.4 miles on I 40, indicating a long period of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip as you approach Wilmington. Expect dense exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate through more populated areas.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Greensboro Urban Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in near US 220.
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 22 significant decision points across 234 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 11.5 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. As the anchor of the Greater Madison Area, it is home to the University of Wisconsin — Madison, one of the premier universities in the United States. It is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the city's many museums and art galleries. The city is also known for its diverse and delicious food options.
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 32m. Total distance: 234 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.8 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
