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Trip from Stokesdale, NC to Wilmington, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
227 mi
365 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stokesdale, NC
Tolga Ahmetler
Wilmington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Stokesdale to Wilmington is 227 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 40 and Greensboro Urban Loop, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward drive. You'll find it efficient for getting from point A to point B without many detours. Plan for a single day to cover the distance comfortably.
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
113.5 miles from Stokesdale, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 180.4 mi | 3h 19m |
| Greensboro Urban Loop | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| US 220 | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| US 158 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Market Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North College Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Parkway | 1.1 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Stokesdale, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on NC 68
79 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 68
2
Turn right onto US 158
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 158
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Merge onto I 73; US 220
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 73; US 220
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 220
Exit 119
Toward US 220 South: Greensboro
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 840
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 40, I 85 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40
31 mi
·
36 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
18
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Road
19
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
20
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kerr Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Market Street
22
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 16th Street
23
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Wooster Street
24
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 3rd Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 23m duration, leaving Stokesdale in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and reach Wilmington without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $35, this is a manageable single-day drive. The longest stretch is 180.4 miles on I 40, so be sure to fuel up before departing or at a major exit along this section. Keep an eye on traffic, especially around the Greensboro Urban Loop, as congestion can add to your travel time.
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 113.5 miles from Stokesdale, NC, or about 2h 16m 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 50 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.5 miles or 2h 16m 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 34m
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 Stokesdale, 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 Stokesdale, NC
This is one driving day of about 227 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Stokesdale, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.5 miles from Stokesdale, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 180.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Duplin County I-40 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 111 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
25.6 mi into trip
|
~34m 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
25.8 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
111 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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
$33.51 one way
$67.03 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| premium | $4.49 | $40.15 | $80.29 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.86 | $85.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
| Efficient EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.86 | $9.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.78 | $14.53 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Stokesdale, NC
Late night in Stokesdale on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 7 to 12 mph
60% chance
Live 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
Late night in Wilmington on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 14 mph
18% chance
Live 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
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 23m 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 203.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 90% of the 227 miles on roads like I 40 and the Greensboro Urban Loop. You'll experience a long stretch of 180.4 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to see plenty of exits and merges as you navigate the urban loop and approach your destination. The majority of your time will be spent cruising on the interstate.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
10/10
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 4.5 miles in near US 220.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 227 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 4.5 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
953 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
31 ft
Total Descent
948 ft
Highest Point
953 ft
Elevation Range
924 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Stokesdale, NC
Full guide →Founded 1989
Arriving in Wilmington, NC
Full guide →“Port City”
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 227 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m 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 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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