Wilmington to Buxton is 275.8 miles and takes about 6h 16m via US 17 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Most of the drive is on highways, making it a relatively straightforward trip. You'll want to consider this if you're looking for a single-day drive with a clear path and manageable fuel costs.
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
137.9 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
60.5 mi
1h 19m
US 64
40.3 mi
56m
United States Highway 64 East
39.5 mi
47m
New Bern Highway
28.6 mi
34m
NC 12
24.6 mi
42m
Cape Hatteras National Park Road
23.6 mi
33m
NC 171
16.9 mi
24m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
11.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 60.5 mi, about 1h 19m
Traffic on I-140
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,417 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,004
Quietest
2 AM
~47 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
30.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Wilmington, NC and Buxton, 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
0.8 mi·1 min·US 17; US 76; US 421
4
Take the exit onto US 421
4.3 mi·5 min·US 421
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
6
Merge onto I 140
12 mi·12 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
7
Continue on US 17
9.1 mi·14 min·Market Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 17; NC 210
30 mi·41 min·US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
4.0 mi·6 min·South Marine Boulevard
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.9 mi·1 min·North Marine Boulevard
11
Continue on US 17
29 mi·34 min·New Bern Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 17
1.0 mi·1 min·US 17
Exit 141AToward US 17 North, US 70 East: New Bern, Morehead City
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto NC 43
11 mi·14 min·NC 43
15
Turn left onto US 17; NC 43
29 mi·35 min·US 17; NC 43
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto NC 171
17 mi·24 min·NC 171
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto US 64
14 mi·20 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 64
40 mi·47 min·United States Highway 64 East
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
26 mi·35 min·US 64
20
Continue on US 64; SR 1540
0.2 mi·15 sec·South Virginia Dare Trail
21
Turn right onto NC 12
24 mi·33 min·Cape Hatteras National Park Road
22
Enter roundabout onto NC 12
71 ft·1 sec·NC 12
23
Continue on NC 12
25 mi·42 min·NC 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left
99 ft·8 sec
25
Turn right
12 ft·1 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 16m estimated drive time, leaving Wilmington in the morning should allow you to reach Buxton with plenty of daylight. There's one recommended stop, but with a drive under seven hours, you might find you don't need a lengthy break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $43, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially considering the longest stretch without services is 60.5 miles on US 17. This is a route you can comfortably complete in one day.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.9 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.5 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 61 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.9 miles or 3h 2m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buxton, 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 275.8 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 US 17 for about 60.5 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 5.2 and 147.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.2 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville...
6
89.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 North, US 70 East: New Bern, Morehead City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 141A
Toward US 17 North, US 70 East: New Bern, Moreh...
5
90.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
101.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 17; NC 43
Turn left onto US 17; NC 43
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
147.7 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|US 64
Turn right onto US 64
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.26 one way
$84.52 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$46.38
$92.75
premium
$4.64
$50.35
$100.70
diesel
$5.60
$60.80
$121.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.7
1
$28.96
$13.24
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.13
$11.03
EV Truck/SUV
110.3
1
$38.61
$17.65
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Aug 15, 2026
Origin
Wilmington, NC
Late night
in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
1:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 1 to 7 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 15 at 7:40PM EDT until August 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 15 at 7:40PM EDT until August 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Buxton, NC
Late night
in Buxton on Wednesday
Local time
1:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 8 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 15 at 7:40PM EDT until August 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 15 at 7:40PM EDT until August 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
82°F
Plymouth, NC
138 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
1 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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
National Seashore
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants,...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 266.3
Park Closure: Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Park Closure: Partial Beach Closures in Place in Front of Buxton Village
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$10
near mile 228.3
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 9.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 76% of the route utilizing major roads like US 17 and United States Highway 64 East. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.5 miles on US 17. As you transition away from the highway segments, expect more varied road conditions and potentially more local traffic, especially as you approach your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.5 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 275.8 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
64 ft0 ft
Total Climb
83 ft
Total Descent
109 ft
Highest Point
64 ft
~39.4 mi in
Elevation Range
64 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Wilmington, NC to Buxton, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Morehead City along the way.
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 6h 16m. Total distance: 275.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.5 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Buxton, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buxton, NC before the return drive.
