This 292.6-mile drive from Marion, NC to Wilmington, NC will take you approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on Andrew Jackson Highway and I-40, with a portion on the American Indian Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, this journey through North Carolina's Southeast region offers a mixed driving experience. It's a straightforward route that allows for a single stop along the way. Consider this trip if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the mountains to the coast in a single day.
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
146.3 miles from Marion, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
I 40
35.7 mi
40m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
US 321
32 mi
37m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
10.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on US 70
76 ft·7 sec·West Court Street
2
Turn right onto US 221 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on US 221 Business
1.9 mi·4 min·Rutherford Road
4
Turn left onto NC 226
1.1 mi·2 min·NC 226
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
36 mi·40 min·I 40
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 123A-BToward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 321 South: Lincolnton
9
Merge onto US 321
32 mi·37 min·US 321
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 85 North: Charlotte
11
Merge onto I 85
10 mi·12 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
14
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.
15
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
16
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
20
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
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.
24
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
26
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
27
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
30
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
31
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
33
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
37
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
39
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
40
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
41
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 6-hour duration, an early morning departure from Marion is recommended to maximize your daylight and arrive in Wilmington with time to spare. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive; the 91-mile stretch on Andrew Jackson Highway could be a good point to consider this. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before getting onto longer highway segments. With only one stop suggested, having snacks and drinks readily available will enhance your comfort. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your timing based on traffic conditions.
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 146.3 miles from Marion, NC, or about 3h 5m 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 64 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.3 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 54m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, NC
This is one driving day of about 292.6 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Marion, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.5 and 108.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
39.5 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 123A-B
Toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
8
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
92 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
96 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
108.8 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
$45.76 one way
$91.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$50.03
$100.06
premium
$4.70
$54.15
$108.31
diesel
$5.61
$64.60
$129.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.72
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.60
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.96
$18.73
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Marion, NC
Night
in Marion on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Night
in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
1 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
5h 59m 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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 272.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Your journey will consist of a mixed drive, with 38% of the route being highway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The roads will transition from what is likely a more rural start to the faster pace of I-40 before heading towards the coast. This blend means you'll have stretches of both efficient travel and more local road driving. The highway share suggests a balance between speed and a more connected-to-the-landscape feel.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 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?
10/10
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 39.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 292.6 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 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marion, NC and Wilmington, NC, road signs point toward Lincolnton, Hickory, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 292.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wilmington, NC before the return drive.
