Summerfield, NC to Wilmington, NC is 220.9 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traversing the Southeast region from its western Piedmont to the coastal plains. Given its predominantly highway profile and manageable distance, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for getting to your destination efficiently.
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
110.4 miles from Summerfield, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m 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
Battleground Avenue
5.5 mi
8m
Market Street
2.3 mi
4m
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
— 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
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 Summerfield, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on NC 150
247 ft·33 sec·Oak Ridge Road
2
Continue on NC 150
223 ft·5 sec·Oak Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto US 220; NC 150
5.5 mi·8 min·Battleground Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 840
14 mi·15 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 40, I 85 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, I 85 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
31 mi·36 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi·34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: RaleighUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi·10 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
16
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi·1 min·North College Road
17
Turn right onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
18
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Kerr Avenue
19
Turn right onto US 17 Business
2.3 mi·4 min·Market Street
20
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South 16th Street
21
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
1.0 mi·2 min·Wooster Street
22
Turn right onto US 17 Business
92 ft·2 sec·South 3rd Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing early in the morning, perhaps between 7 and 8 AM, will help you avoid peak traffic in the Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham areas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The majority of this route is on I 40, so be mindful of its extensive mileage (180.4 miles) and plan your fuel stops accordingly, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long interstate stretches. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is based on average prices and your vehicle's MPG.
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 110.4 miles from Summerfield, NC, or about 2h 10m 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 26m
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 Summerfield, 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 Summerfield, NC
This is one driving day of about 220.9 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Summerfield, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 104.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.5 mi into trip|~25m 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
19.6 mi into trip|~26m 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
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
82 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
104.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
$32.61 one way
$65.23 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$35.84
$71.68
premium
$4.49
$39.07
$78.13
diesel
$4.80
$41.71
$83.42
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: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.19
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Summerfield, NC
Late night
in Summerfield on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Late night
in Wilmington on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 3 to 7 mph1% chanceLive 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
4 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
4h 15m 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
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 198
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter a primarily highway experience, with 87% of the trip on major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll drive is 180.4 miles on I 40. After this extensive highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of your drive. Expect a significant number of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate through urban and suburban areas before reaching the coast.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
8/10
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 19.5 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 18 significant decision points across 220.9 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 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.7 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 4h 15m. Total distance: 220.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.7 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
