This 253.2-mile journey from Wilmington, NC to Bethlehem, NC will take approximately 5 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, though you might appreciate an overnight stop to break up the drive. Expect a fuel cost around $40 for this trip. The route primarily follows local roads, with only about 20% on highways, suggesting a more scenic, albeit turn-heavy, travel experience through the Southeast region of North Carolina. This drive offers a chance to see more of the local landscape rather than just interstate miles.
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
126.6 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
91.9 mi
1h 51m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Brookshire Boulevard
33.5 mi
43m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi
9m
East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 91.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Bethlehem, NC.
1
Start on US 17 Business
372 ft·14 sec·South 3rd Street
2
Continue on US 17 Business
508 ft·23 sec·South 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
3.5 mi·4 min·US 17; US 76; US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on US 74; US 76
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
6
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306BToward US 74 West: MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
11
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
13
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
14
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 74; NC 27
418 ft·5 sec·East Independence Boulevard
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 242Toward I 277 North Outer, NC 16 North: Brookshire FreewayUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 277; NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on NC 16
34 mi·43 min·Brookshire Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto Bethany Church Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Bethany Church Road
24
Turn left onto Mount Olive Church Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Mount Olive Church Road
25
Continue on Mt Olive Church Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Mt Olive Church Road
26
Turn right onto NC 16
2.4 mi·3 min·NC 16
27
Turn left onto US 70
4.2 mi·6 min·Conover Boulevard East
28
Continue on Tate Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Tate Boulevard
29
Turn right onto McDonald Parkway
1.8 mi·2 min·McDonald Parkway
30
Continue on 24th Street Northeast
0.4 mi·51 sec·24th Street Northeast
31
Turn straight onto 29th Avenue Drive Northeast
1.1 mi·1 min·29th Avenue Drive Northeast
32
Turn right onto 16th Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·16th Street Northeast
33
Turn slight left onto Cloninger Mill Road Northeast
1.1 mi·2 min·Cloninger Mill Road Northeast
34
Turn right onto NC 127
2.4 mi·4 min·North Center Street
35
Turn right onto Telephone Exchange Road
123 ft·5 sec·Telephone Exchange Road
36
Arrive at destination
Telephone Exchange Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 22-minute duration and turn-heavy nature, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight hours. With only one stop suggested, plan for a mid-point break to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch is over 90 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. While the fuel cost is estimated at $40, it’s always wise to carry a little extra. Pay close attention to your GPS, especially when transitioning between Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Brookshire Boulevard, as the numerous turns are a defining characteristic of this route.
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 126.6 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.6 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethlehem, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 253.2 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Wilmington, 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 91.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 196.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 17; US 76; US 421
Turn right onto US 17; US 76; US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
132 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
165.3 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
8
196.3 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward I 277 North Outer, NC 16 North: Brookshire Freeway
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 242
Toward I 277 North Outer, NC 16 North: Brookshi...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.59 one way
$79.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$43.29
$86.59
premium
$4.70
$46.86
$93.72
diesel
$5.61
$55.90
$111.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76
0
$26.59
$12.15
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.15
$10.13
EV Truck/SUV
101.3
1
$35.45
$16.20
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 18, 2026
Origin
Wilmington, NC
Morning
in Wilmington on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 2 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, NC
Morning
in Bethlehem on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Monroe, NC
127 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
37 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
5h 22m 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 17.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily into local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. With only a 20% highway share, you'll spend most of your time navigating secondary routes. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 91.9 miles along Andrew Jackson Highway, offering a substantial period on this main artery before other roads take over. Expect a driving experience that requires more attention to navigation and potentially slower speeds compared to an all-interstate trip, giving you a more intimate feel for the towns and countryside.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.9 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 17; US 76; US 421.
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 16 significant decision points across 253.2 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 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 253.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Bethlehem, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethlehem, NC before the return drive.
