This 204.2-mile journey from McLeansville, NC, to Wilmington, NC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. With no highway driving, expect a more local feel throughout the entire trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, making it an economical option for a day trip. You'll navigate primarily on McLeansville Road, Birch Creek Road, and Burlington Road. Given its manageable length and local character, this route is well-suited for a relaxed one-day adventure within the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
100.9 miles from McLeansville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
176.2 mi
3h 14m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11.3 mi
12m
Burlington Road
3.4 mi
5m
Market Street
2.3 mi
4m
Birch Creek Road
1.2 mi
3m
North College Road
1.2 mi
1m
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi
1m
Wooster Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 176.2 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,870 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,377
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.4×
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 McLeansville, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on Frieden Church Road
132 ft·8 sec·Frieden Church Road
2
Turn right onto McLeansville Road
0.4 mi·44 sec·McLeansville Road
3
Turn left onto Birch Creek Road
1.2 mi·3 min·Birch Creek Road
4
Turn left onto US 70
3.4 mi·5 min·Burlington Road
5
Turn right onto Rock Creek Dairy Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·Rock Creek Dairy Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North: Burlington
7
Merge onto I 40; I 85
27 mi·31 min·I 40; I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi·34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: RaleighUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi·10 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 40
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
15
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi·1 min·North College Road
16
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
17
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Kerr Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi·4 min·Market Street
19
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South 16th Street
20
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi·2 min·Wooster Street
21
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft·2 sec·South 3rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 10 minute duration and the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, planning for a relaxed pace is key. Consider an early morning departure from McLeansville to maximize daylight and navigate the local roads with ease. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than main highways. The $33 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Paying attention to posted speed limits on these local roads will be important for safety and adherence to the driving profile.
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 100.9 miles from McLeansville, NC, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.2 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 44 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 1h 58m 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 8m
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 McLeansville, 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 McLeansville, NC
This is one driving day of about 201.8 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from McLeansville, 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 176.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 85.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East, I 85 North: Burlington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North: Burlington
7
32.6 mi into trip|~41m 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
6
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
$29.79 one way
$59.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$32.74
$65.48
premium
$4.49
$35.69
$71.38
diesel
$4.80
$38.10
$76.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.5
0
$21.19
$9.69
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.66
$8.07
EV Truck/SUV
80.7
1
$28.25
$12.92
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 19, 2026
Origin
McLeansville, NC
Evening
in McLeansville on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 6 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:59PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 10:52PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Evening
in Wilmington on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
SW 8 to 12 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:59PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 10:52PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
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
7 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
3h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 180.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating a series of local roads, including McLeansville Road, Birch Creek Road, and Burlington Road, which means frequent turns and a more intimate connection with the landscape. There isn't a 'longest uninterrupted stretch' noted, suggesting a continuous series of turns and changes in direction. Be prepared for a driving experience that keeps you actively engaged with the road, rather than a monotonous highway cruise.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 201.8 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 5.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 52m. Total distance: 201.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
