Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
175.9 mi
283 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Albemarle, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Wilmington to Albemarle is 175.9 miles and takes about 3h 34m via Andrew Jackson Highway and US 52, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a more local feel to this trip, with frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. It's a manageable single-day journey, perfect if you're looking for a straightforward drive without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 91.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| US 52 | 28.6 mi | 38m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| US 17 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| East Caswell Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Salisbury Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Albemarle, NC.
Start on US 17 Business
Continue on US 17 Business
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
Continue on US 74; US 76
Continue on US 74; NC 130
Continue on US 74
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Turn right onto US 52; NC 742
Continue on US 52; NC 73
Turn right onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 34m duration, this is a comfortable one-day trip from Wilmington to Albemarle. Aim to depart in the morning to allow plenty of time for the drive and any unexpected delays. With the longest stretch being just over 90 miles, you'll have opportunities to stop if needed, though with only one recommended stop, it's not a long haul. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition between roads; the estimated fuel cost is $28, but it's always wise to top off before setting out or if you see a good price. Since it's a local drive, ensure your GPS is up-to-date to help navigate the many turns.
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.
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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albemarle, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC
This is one driving day of about 175.9 miles and 3h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 88 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
4 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 175.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$27.51 one way
$55.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.08 | $60.15 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.56 | $65.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.84 | $77.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.47 | $8.44 |
| Efficient EV | 44 | 0 | $15.39 | $7.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.63 | $11.26 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Night in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Albemarle on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
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.
This route is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be navigating numerous intersections and changes in direction. With only 26% of the drive on highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads, including segments of Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before more turns appear. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 4 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 17; US 76; US 421.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 175.9 miles you will encounter 4 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 17; US 76; US 421): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): 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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 175.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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