Traveling from Mocksville to Wilmington covers 226.4 miles across the Southeast, making for a manageable 4-hour and 39-minute journey. Because the total duration is under five hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day of driving. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the trek. While the route connects two distinct parts of North Carolina, the drive remains straightforward enough that you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from inland areas toward the coast, providing a steady pace for your travels.
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
113.2 miles from Mocksville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m 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
28.8 mi
38m
Lexington Road
17.4 mi
24m
East Hamlet Avenue
12.8 mi
16m
US 220
4.8 mi
6m
Hamlet Avenue
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 70.1 mi, about 1h 24m
Traffic on I-73
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~662 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,067
Quietest
2 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
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 Mocksville, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on East Depot Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Depot Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 64
17 mi·24 min·Lexington Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the exit onto US 64
1.7 mi·2 min·US 64
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 EastUse the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
27 mi·36 min·US 64
Toward US 64 East: AsheboroUse the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 344AToward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
6
Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220
47 mi·51 min·I 73; I 74; US 220
7
Take the exit onto US 220
4.8 mi·6 min·US 220
Exit 22Toward US 220 South: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
2.5 mi·4 min·West Broad Avenue
9
Continue on US 74 BUS
3.5 mi·5 min·Hamlet Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
466 ft·11 sec·Raleigh Street
11
Turn right onto US 74 BUS
0.3 mi·41 sec·Spring Street
12
Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue
13 mi·16 min·East Hamlet Avenue
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
15
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
17
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
18
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic and arrive in Wilmington with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the nearly 5-hour duration can become fatiguing without a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches on the Andrew Jackson Highway, as service intervals can vary. Because you only have one planned stop, use that time effectively to refuel and grab a snack so you can complete the remaining mileage without further interruption. This flexibility allows you to manage your own pace while maintaining a direct heading toward the coast.
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 113.2 miles from Mocksville, NC, or about 2h 25m 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 50 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.2 miles or 2h 25m 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 48m
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 Mocksville, 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 Mocksville, NC
This is one driving day of about 226.4 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Mocksville, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 94.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 64 / Lexington Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 64 / Lexington Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
18 mi into trip|~26m in|US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64...
7
19.7 mi into trip|~28m in|US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 East: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 64 East: Asheboro
6
46.8 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.43 one way
$66.85 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.73
$73.46
premium
$4.49
$40.04
$80.08
diesel
$4.80
$42.75
$85.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.9
0
$23.77
$10.87
Efficient EV
56.6
0
$19.81
$9.06
EV Truck/SUV
90.6
1
$31.70
$14.49
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Mocksville, NC
Evening
in Mocksville on Monday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:39PM EDT until July 18 at 2:45PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 18 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Evening
in Wilmington on Monday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:39PM EDT until July 18 at 2:45PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 18 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
89°F
Aberdeen, NC
113 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 39m 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 210.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile that balances quick highway transit with more varied local road conditions. With 36% of your time spent on highways, you will navigate a combination of the Andrew Jackson Highway, I-73, and the American Indian Highway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Andrew Jackson Highway, covering 70.1 miles of the trip. The road personality shifts as you progress, requiring you to remain alert during the transition between major thoroughfares and smaller connecting routes. This blend ensures the drive doesn't feel like a monotonous interstate grind, keeping the journey engaging from start to finish.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 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?
7/10
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 0.5 miles in near US 64 / Lexington Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 226.4 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 0.5 miles (US 64 / Lexington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
859 ft36 ft
Total Climb
129 ft
Total Descent
952 ft
Highest Point
859 ft
Elevation Range
823 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 39m. Total distance: 226.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
Yes — we found about 5 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 64 / Lexington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles (US 64): 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
