How far is Apex, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Apex, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 144.6 miles (232.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.1 miles (186.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 09m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Apex and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Wilmington.
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1
Start on North Salem Street
2300 ft · 1 min · North Salem Street
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2
Turn left onto East Williams Street
3.1 mi · 6 min · East Williams Street
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3
Take the exit slight left toward NC 540 Toll East
2882 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
16.4 mi · 18 min · Triangle Expressway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington
2538 ft · 49 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 53 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
9
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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10
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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11
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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13
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
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14
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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15
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Wilmington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Apex to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 144.6 miles (232.7 km) and usually takes 02h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69 miles from Apex and 75.6 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.1 miles (186.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.20 one way or $40.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 116.05 mi (186.77 km).
#1 Apex
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 64,388 |
| Coordinates | 35.7326500, -78.8502900 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wilmington
The largest city in the state of North Carolina.
| Population | 124,794 |
| Coordinates | 34.2257300, -77.9447100 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.20 | $40.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.37 | $48.74 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.