Wilmington, NC to Jamestown, NC is 209.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m via Michael Jordan Highway and US 64, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive covers a distance of nearly 210 miles and is entirely within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to a more central part of the state. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, so plan accordingly for your budget. This route is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without significant detours.
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
104.9 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Michael Jordan Highway
107.3 mi
1h 55m
US 64
32 mi
42m
Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi
30m
Triangle Expressway
19.5 mi
20m
Greensboro Urban Loop
4.8 mi
5m
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.7 mi
6m
I 85
2.4 mi
2m
US 29
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Michael Jordan Highway
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,167 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,513
Quietest
2 AM
~54 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Jamestown, NC.
1
Start on US 17 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·South 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Keep slight right at fork onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.7 mi·6 min·Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi·1 min·North College Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on I 40; US 117; NC 132
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·Michael Jordan Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·23 sec
Toward NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward Cleveland Rd
7
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.6 mi·2 min·Cleveland Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on SR 1010
1.1 mi·1 min·Cleveland School Road
9
Turn right onto NC 50
0.5 mi·56 sec·Benson Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll West: ApexUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
19 mi·20 min·Triangle Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 64
32 mi·42 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
17
Merge onto US 421
26 mi·30 min·Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 197Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi·5 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.4 mi·2 min·I 85
Toward I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
2.3 mi·2 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto River Road
0.7 mi·1 min·River Road
24
Continue on Oakdale Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Oakdale Road
25
Turn right onto East Main Street
110 ft·2 sec·East Main Street
26
Turn right
60 ft·4 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a 4-hour, 209.7-mile drive, you can easily complete it in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility on when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 107.3-mile stretch on Michael Jordan Highway, as it's the longest uninterrupted segment. The estimated fuel cost of $33 suggests that a full tank should suffice for the entire trip, but it's always wise to top off before you leave Wilmington.
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 104.9 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.9 miles or 1h 56m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamestown, 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 209.7 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 107.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 205.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59B
Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
8
197.3 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
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 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...
8
197.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
7
205.5 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.35 one way
$66.71 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$36.37
$72.73
premium
$4.78
$39.45
$78.91
diesel
$5.35
$44.17
$88.34
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: 73.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.35
$8.39
EV Truck/SUV
83.9
1
$29.36
$13.42
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Wilmington, NC
Afternoon
in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NE 14 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 11:33AM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 11:33AM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Jamestown, NC
Afternoon
in Jamestown on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 11:33AM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 11:33AM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
3 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
4h 8m 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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 21.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 30% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on Michael Jordan Highway, US 64, and Isaac Brooks Highway, providing a varied driving feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 107.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway, so be prepared for a sustained period on this particular road. As you progress, the landscape will transition from coastal influences to more inland scenery. It's not a constant interstate grind, nor is it exclusively rural two-lane roads; rather, it balances faster highway segments with potentially more local road sections.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.3 mi on Michael Jordan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Martin Luther King Jr Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 209.7 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 1.7 miles (Martin Luther King Jr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
796 ft13 ft
Total Climb
827 ft
Total Descent
67 ft
Highest Point
796 ft
~209.7 mi in
Elevation Range
783 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wilmington, NC and Jamestown, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham and Charlotte.
Pittsboro
138.6 mi in|~2h 35m
Durham
197.3 mi in|~3h 51m|via US 421
Charlotte
197.3 mi in|~3h 51m|via US 421
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 8m. Total distance: 209.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Jamestown, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Martin Luther King Jr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Jamestown, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
