Origin
Wilmington, NC
Late night in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilmington, NC to North Wilkesboro, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 31m
Distance
281.2 mi
453 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 18m
★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilmington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
North Wilkesboro, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Wilmington to North Wilkesboro is 281.2 miles and takes about 5h 31m via Andrew Jackson Highway and US 220, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region towards its western part. Expect a mixed driving experience, as the route incorporates both highway sections and surface roads. Given the drive time and distance, it's a solid option for a single-day trip, but you can certainly take your time if you prefer.
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
140.6 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 80.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 220 | 62.7 mi | 1h 11m |
| US 421 | 44.7 mi | 51m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| I 74 | 32.3 mi | 37m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| I 40 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| US 17 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-73
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~663 veh/hr typical · worst 1,124
Quietest
2 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 North Wilkesboro, 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
11 mi
·
11 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 1
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1
Use the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto US 220
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 220
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 220
Use the left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
58 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
31 mi
·
35 min
·
I 74
Exit 80
Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
15
Merge onto I 40
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 188
Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 421
45 mi
·
51 min
·
US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 421 Business, NC 115: North Wilkesboro, Statesville
20
Keep slight right at fork
198 ft
·
5 sec
Toward US 421 Business, NC 115: North Wilkesboro, Statesville
21
Turn slight right onto US 421 Business; NC 115
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Statesville Road
22
Turn left onto US 421 Business; NC 18; NC 268
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
2nd Street
23
Continue on US 421 Business; NC 18; NC 268
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
B Street
24
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street
25
Turn left
247 ft
·
18 sec
26
Turn slight right
13 ft
·
1 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 281.2-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Wilmington to maximize daylight. The total duration is around 5 hours and 31 minutes, so you can comfortably complete it in one day. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $43, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the US 220 and US 421 sections, which might have fewer services than major interstates. Pacing yourself means you can enjoy the changing scenery without feeling rushed.
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 140.6 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 46m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Wilkesboro, 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 281.2 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 80.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.6 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 80.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 128.1 and 231.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
134.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
192.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 80
Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
8
231.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 188
Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
7
231.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.09 one way
$86.18 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $47.28 | $94.57 |
| premium | $4.64 | $51.34 | $102.67 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $61.99 | $123.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.53 | $13.50 |
| Efficient EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.61 | $11.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.5 | 1 | $39.37 | $18.00 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Destination
North Wilkesboro, NC
Late night in North Wilkesboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Lexington, NC
141 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
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
5h 31m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 58% of this drive is on highways, offering stretches of faster travel. You'll encounter your longest continuous highway segment at 80.3 miles along Andrew Jackson Highway. As you progress, expect the profile to shift from highway cruising to more of a mixed highway and surface road feel. This means you'll transition from areas with potentially dense exits to more rural cruising.
58% 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: 80.3 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 128.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 281.2 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 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.4 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.2 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,110 ft
36 ft
Total Climb
1,212 ft
Total Descent
261 ft
Highest Point
1,110 ft
~261.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,074 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 North Wilkesboro, NC, road signs point toward Winston-Salem, Statesville and Yadkinville.
Winston-Salem
192.2 mi in
|
~3h 44m
|
via I 74
Statesville
223.5 mi in
|
~4h 19m
|
via I 74
Yadkinville
231.6 mi in
|
~4h 30m
About the Cities
Starting in Wilmington, NC
Full guide →“Port City”
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
Arriving in North Wilkesboro, NC
Full guide →Founded 1891
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 281.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. 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 North Wilkesboro, 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 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.4 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.2 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at North Wilkesboro, NC before the return drive.
How this page is built
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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