Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
41.3 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swansboro, NC
Michael Ken
North Topsail Beach, NC
Peter Holmboe
If you are looking for a straightforward coastal transit, the 41.3-mile trip from Swansboro to North Topsail Beach is a quick and manageable journey. Expect to spend about 59 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day excursion that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Wilmington Highway, Freedom Way, and Lejeune Boulevard as you travel through the Southeast region of North Carolina. With a modest estimated fuel cost of just $7, it is a budget-friendly way to move between these two coastal points. This route is best treated as a direct connector rather than a sightseeing tour, offering a practical path for those aiming to reach the beach efficiently.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Highway | 11.1 mi | 15m |
| Freedom Way | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| Lejeune Boulevard | 5 mi | 7m |
| Dixon-Sneads Ferry Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Rifle Range Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Corbett Avenue | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Ronald W. Reagan Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Hwy 210 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Swansboro, NC and North Topsail Beach, NC.
Start on South Water Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn slight left onto NC 24
Continue on NC 24
Continue on NC 24
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
Take the exit onto US 17; I 97
Merge onto US 17
Turn left onto NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 210
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Swansboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 32.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397 / Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto US 17; I 97
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto US 17 / Wilmington Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Turn left onto NC 210 / Rifle Range Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$6.46 one way
$12.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| premium | $4.70 | $7.64 | $15.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.12 | $18.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.78 | $2.64 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Swansboro on Sunday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Morning in North Topsail Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
73°F
Jacksonville, NC
21 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Only 16% of this trip involves highway driving, so you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads and intersections. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 11.1-mile segment on Wilmington Highway, providing the only real opportunity to settle into a consistent pace. Because the route relies heavily on local thoroughfares, the character of the road changes frequently as you transition between residential and commercial zones. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires shifting gears and monitoring your surroundings more closely than a long-haul highway trek.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 59m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.2 miles (NC 24; NC 53; I 397 / Ronald W. Reagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21 miles (US 17; I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
65 ft
Highest Point
63 ft
~32.4 mi in
Elevation Range
52 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 41.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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