How far is Bethel, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Bethel, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 212.4 miles (341.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 26m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethel and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethel and Wilmington.
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1
Start on Law Road
66 m · 12 sec · Law Road
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2
Turn left onto Park Springs Road
3.9 mi · 12 min · Park Springs Road
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3
Turn right onto Foster Road
5.2 mi · 8 min · Foster Road
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4
Turn left onto US 158
1.5 mi · 3 min · US 158
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5
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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6
At the end of the road, turn left
936 ft · 18 sec
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7
Continue straight
14.7 mi · 18 min
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8
Continue straight
12.4 mi · 18 min
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9
Turn left
6.2 mi · 10 min
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10
Take the exit straight
1158 ft · 15 sec
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11
Merge slight left
2 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
12.4 mi · 16 min · Durham Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
1.3 km · 58 sec
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14
Merge slight right
8.7 mi · 10 min
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15
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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16
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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18
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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20
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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21
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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22
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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23
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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25
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
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26
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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27
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethel 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 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 Sunny leaving Bethel and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethel to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 212.4 miles (341.9 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
Benson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.7 miles from Bethel and 107.7 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:06 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.71 one way or $59.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bethel and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Benson
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 Benson.
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
Fayetteville
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethel and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 175.79 mi (282.91 km).
#1 Bethel
Town in Pitt County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 1,614 |
| Coordinates | 36.4534700, -79.4516900 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| 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: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $29.71 | $59.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.22 | $66.44 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $35.83 | $71.67 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.18 | $84.36 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.