How far is Atlantic, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Atlantic, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 136.5 miles (219.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102 miles (164.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Atlantic and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic and Wilmington.
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1
Start on Salter Drive
11 m · 3 sec · Salter Drive
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2
Turn right onto Shell Road
2409 ft · 1 min · Shell Road
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3
Turn left onto Old Cedar Island Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Old Cedar Island Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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5
Continue straight
8.2 mi · 12 min
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6
Turn sharp right
6.2 mi · 10 min
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7
Turn right
6.4 mi · 9 min
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8
Continue straight
12.8 mi · 20 min
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9
Turn left
16.3 mi · 24 min
-
10
Continue on Cedar Point Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Cedar Point Boulevard
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11
Continue on West Corbett Avenue
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Corbett Avenue
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12
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi · 12 min · Freedom Way
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13
Continue on Lejeune Boulevard
5 mi · 8 min · Lejeune Boulevard
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
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15
Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
1839 ft · 26 sec · Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
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16
Continue on KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight left
1 km · 53 sec
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18
Merge slight right onto Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi · 41 min · Wilmington Highway
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19
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
-
20
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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22
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
23
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
24
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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25
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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26
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlantic 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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Atlantic and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Atlantic to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 136.5 miles (219.7 km) and usually takes 03h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Piney Green is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.2 miles from Atlantic and 68.4 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102 miles (164.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.99 one way or $31.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Atlantic and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Piney Green
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 Piney Green.
Jacksonville, NC
Havelock, NC
New Bern, NC
Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Atlantic and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 102.02 mi (164.18 km).
#1 Atlantic
Atlantic is a place in North Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.8848900, -76.3404700 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: Wilmington (-77.94471, 34.22573)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 220 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.32 | $15.99 | $31.98 |
| Mid-grade | $3.77 | $18.18 | $36.35 |
| Premium | $4.20 | $20.26 | $40.52 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026