How far is Buxton, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Buxton, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 279.2 miles (449.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 08m 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 05h 04m.
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.
Human settlement in Martin County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buxton and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buxton and Wilmington.
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1
Start on the route
4 m · 4 sec
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2
Turn left
30 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn right onto North Carolina Highway 12
24.6 mi · 42 min · North Carolina Highway 12
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
59 m · 3 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
23.6 mi · 34 min
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6
Turn left onto South Virginia Dare Trail
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Virginia Dare Trail
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7
Continue on Washington Baum Bridge
20.7 mi · 28 min · Washington Baum Bridge
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8
Keep slight left
57.8 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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9
Turn left onto Andrews Street
16.9 mi · 24 min · Andrews Street
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10
Merge slight left
738 ft · 11 sec
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11
Take the exit slight left
117 m · 17 sec
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12
Turn left
22.2 mi · 28 min
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13
Turn slight left
6.9 mi · 8 min
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14
Turn right onto Weyerhaeuser Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Weyerhaeuser Road
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15
Continue on Washington Post Road
6.9 mi · 9 min · Washington Post Road
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16
Take the exit slight right
1925 ft · 47 sec
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17
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 56 sec
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 38 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1930 ft · 41 sec · North Marine Boulevard
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20
Continue on North Marine Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Marine Boulevard
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 35 min · Wilmington Highway
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22
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
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23
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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24
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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26
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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27
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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28
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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29
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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30
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buxton and Wilmington.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Washington Baum Bridge
Keep slight left
57.8 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Buxton and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buxton to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 279.2 miles (449.3 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?
Bear Grass is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.8 miles from Buxton and 140.4 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 125 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 6:52 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.09 one way or $64.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Buxton and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Bear Grass
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 Bear Grass.
Greenville, NC
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buxton and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 154.21 mi (248.18 km).
#1 Buxton
Buxton is a place in North Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.2676800, -75.5423700 |
| 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: 449 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.26 | $32.09 | $64.18 |
| Mid-grade | $3.69 | $36.36 | $72.71 |
| Premium | $4.13 | $40.66 | $81.32 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $53.39 | $106.77 |
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 10, 2026