How far is Atlantic Beach, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Atlantic Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76 miles (122.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m 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 02m.
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.
The most populous city in Onslow County, North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Atlantic Beach and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic Beach and Wilmington.
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1
Start on West Terminal Boulevard
8 m · 3 sec · West Terminal Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South Kinston Avenue
635 ft · 24 sec · South Kinston Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West Fort Macon Road
574 ft · 18 sec · West Fort Macon Road
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4
Turn left onto Atlantic Beach Causeway
1.1 km · 1 min · Atlantic Beach Causeway
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5
Continue on Atlantic Beach Bridge
1.1 km · 1 min · Atlantic Beach Bridge
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6
Continue on South 23rd Street
668 ft · 13 sec · South 23rd Street
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7
Turn left onto Arendell Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · Arendell Street
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8
Turn left
16.3 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue on Cedar Point Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Cedar Point Boulevard
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10
Continue on West Corbett Avenue
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Corbett Avenue
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11
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi · 12 min · Freedom Way
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12
Continue on Lejeune Boulevard
5 mi · 8 min · Lejeune Boulevard
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
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14
Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
1839 ft · 26 sec · Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
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15
Continue on KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight left
1 km · 53 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi · 41 min · Wilmington Highway
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18
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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19
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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21
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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22
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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24
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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25
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlantic Beach and Wilmington.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Wilmington Highway
Merge slight right onto Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Atlantic Beach and Mostly Cloudy near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Atlantic Beach to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Jacksonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.3 miles from Atlantic Beach and 51.4 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76 miles (122.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.7 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 2:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.34 one way or $28.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Atlantic Beach and Mostly Cloudy near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville.
Jacksonville, NC
Havelock, NC
New Bern, NC
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Atlantic Beach and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 76.01 mi (122.33 km).
#1 Atlantic Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,515 |
| Coordinates | 34.6990500, -76.7402100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 165 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.34 | $28.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.03 | $32.07 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.30 | $34.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.36 | $40.72 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.