This 236.2-mile journey from Statesville, NC to Wilmington, NC is a straightforward, single-day trip that takes approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated around $37, it’s an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of North Carolina. The drive primarily utilizes local roads like Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, with a 36% share of highway driving. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It offers a mixed driving experience, making it a practical choice for those looking for a direct, no-fuss drive.
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
118.1 miles from Statesville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91 mi
1h 50m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
NC 218
29.4 mi
41m
I 77
20.2 mi
23m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
Governor James G Martin Freeway
13 mi
13m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
7.3 mi
9m
H Allen Tate Jr Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Statesville, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on US 21; NC 115
50 ft·6 sec·South Center Street
2
Turn right onto US 21; US 64
0.4 mi·59 sec·East Front Street
3
Turn right onto Salisbury Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Salisbury Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·10 sec
5
Merge onto I 77
14 mi·16 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
5.7 mi·6 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21
2.5 mi·2 min·I-77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 77
2.1 mi·2 min·I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
2.3 mi·2 min·I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 77
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-77 South
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
1.1 mi·1 min·I-77 South
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 19B-AToward I 485: Pineville, MatthewsUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 485 North Inner: MatthewsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 485 North Inner: Matthews
15
Merge onto I 485
6.6 mi·7 min·H Allen Tate Jr Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 485
13 mi·13 min·Governor James G Martin Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 44Toward NC 218: Mint HillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto NC 218
1.1 mi·1 min·Fairview Road
19
Continue on NC 218
2.2 mi·3 min·NC 218
20
Enter roundabout onto NC 218
125 ft·2 sec·NC 218
21
Continue on NC 218
6.7 mi·9 min·NC 218
22
Turn slight left onto NC 218
2.8 mi·3 min·NC 218
23
Enter roundabout onto NC 218
233 ft·4 sec·NC 218
24
Continue on NC 218
4.2 mi·5 min·NC 218
25
Enter roundabout onto NC 218
126 ft·2 sec·NC 218
26
Continue on NC 218
13 mi·19 min·NC 218
27
Turn right onto NC 218
0.2 mi·28 sec·Williams Street
28
Turn right onto US 74
449 ft·7 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Take the exit
496 ft·20 sec
30
Turn left onto US 74
0.6 mi·45 sec·W. Cliff Martin Highway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
32
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
33
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
34
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
36
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
38
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
40
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
3.1 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
42
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
43
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
44
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 4 hour and 50-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, perhaps early morning to maximize your day in Wilmington. With only one recommended stop, plan to take a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is a good budget to keep in mind. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to signage for NC 218, as transitions on local roads can sometimes be less obvious than on major interstates, ensuring you stay on track towards Wilmington.
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 118.1 miles from Statesville, NC, or about 2h 31m 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.1 miles or 2h 31m 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 57m
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 Statesville, 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 Statesville, NC
This is one driving day of about 236.2 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Statesville, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.2 and 51.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.2 mi into trip|~20m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
21.9 mi into trip|~27m in|I 77; US 21 / I-77 South
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21 / I-77 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
30.3 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
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 19B-A
Toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
8
30.5 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 485 North Inner: Matthews
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward I 485 North Inner: Matthews
7
51.2 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward NC 218: Mint Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44
Toward NC 218: Mint Hill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.94 one way
$73.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$40.39
$80.77
premium
$4.70
$43.72
$87.43
diesel
$5.61
$52.15
$104.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.80
$11.34
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.67
$9.45
EV Truck/SUV
94.5
1
$33.07
$15.12
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Statesville, NC
Morning
in Statesville on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Morning
in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Monroe, NC
118 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
3 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 50m 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 219.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with only 36% of the total mileage being on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on local roads, including stretches of Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, indicating a significant period of consistent driving without major changes in road type. This means the drive will likely feel more grounded and less about high-speed cruising, offering a more varied pace as you transition between different road characteristics.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 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
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 16.2 miles in near I 77.
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 25 significant decision points across 236.2 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 16.2 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.9 miles (I 77; US 21 / I-77 South): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Statesville, NC to Wilmington, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Matthews along the way.
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 4h 50m. Total distance: 236.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m 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 16.2 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.9 miles (I 77; US 21 / I-77 South): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
