Traveling from Windsor to Wilmington covers 161 miles across southeastern North Carolina. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $26, it is an affordable journey that stays entirely within the state. Because the route is highway-focused, you will spend most of your time on US 17, US 13, and the Wilmington Highway. This trip is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stop. It is a straightforward transit between two southeastern NC points that prioritizes efficiency over complexity.
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
80.5 miles from Windsor, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
87.5 mi
1h 51m
Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi
34m
US 13
14.1 mi
19m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi
13m
Washington Post Road
6.9 mi
9m
US 421
4.6 mi
6m
North Marine Boulevard
4.1 mi
6m
Weyerhaeuser Road
3.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 87.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, NC and Wilmington, NC.
1
Start on East Granville Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Granville Street
2
Continue on US 13 BUS; NC 308
0.8 mi·1 min·US 13 BUS; NC 308
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
0.3 mi·25 sec·US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
4
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
14 mi·19 min·US 13; US 17
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 17
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 17
6
Turn right onto US 17
35 mi·43 min·US 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn slight left onto US 17
6.9 mi·7 min·US 17
8
Turn right onto NC 43
3.6 mi·5 min·Weyerhaeuser Road
9
Continue on NC 43
6.9 mi·9 min·Washington Post Road
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
11
Merge onto US 17; US 70
0.9 mi·55 sec·US 17; US 70
12
Take the exit onto US 17
30 mi·37 min·US 17
Toward US 17 South: JacksonvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Marine Boulevard
14
Continue on US 17 Business
3.7 mi·6 min·North Marine Boulevard
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Business
25 mi·34 min·Wilmington Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 17; NC 210
5.6 mi·7 min·US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 17; NC 210
8.1 mi·12 min·US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on NC 140
12 mi·13 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
20
Turn right onto US 421
3.9 mi·5 min·US 421
Use the right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.7 mi·1 min·US 421
22
Merge onto US 17; US 76; US 421
0.4 mi·31 sec·Ocean Highway East
23
Continue on US 17; US 76; US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
24
Turn left onto US 421; US 17 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·South 3rd Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3.5-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without feeling rushed. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the longest leg of the drive covers more than half the total distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when entering the longer stretches of US 17 to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Because you are heading toward the Wilmington area, consider timing your arrival to avoid peak local traffic congestion. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a smooth, efficient arrival at your destination.
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 80.5 miles from Windsor, NC, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.5 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 43m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Windsor, 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 Windsor, NC
This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Windsor, 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 87.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.6 and 155.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15.6 mi into trip|~21m in|US 17
Turn right onto US 17
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
6
103.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 17 Business / Wilmington Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Business / Wilmington Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
154.9 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
6
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|US 421
Turn right onto US 421
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.18 one way
$50.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.53
$55.06
premium
$4.70
$29.80
$59.60
diesel
$5.61
$35.55
$71.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.3
0
$16.90
$7.73
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.09
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.54
$10.30
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Windsor, NC
Late night
in Windsor on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington, NC
Late night
in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
3h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 155.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with 74% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 17, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 87.5 miles. While the route transitions between different corridors, the experience remains consistent as you navigate through the coastal plain. Unlike winding backroads, this path keeps you moving steadily toward your destination with minimal technical driving requirements. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel focused on these primary arteries, ensuring a predictable experience from start to finish.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.5 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Wilmington Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.6 miles in near US 17.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 161 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 15.6 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles (US 17 Business / Wilmington 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 3h 31m. Total distance: 161 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.5 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 Wilmington, 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 15.6 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles (US 17 Business / Wilmington 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
