How far is Cove Creek, NC from Wilmington, NC?

The driving distance from Cove Creek, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 347.9 miles (559.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 302.4 miles (486.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
347.88 mi
05h 44m
Flight
302.44 mi
486.73 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cove Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
302.44 mi
Kilometers
486.73 km
Flight Time
00h 36m

Driving Distance

Road route
347.88 mi
Kilometers
559.86 km
Drive Time
05h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wilmington
Wed, Apr 15, 5:24 AM EDT
Return by in Cove Creek
Wed, Apr 15, 11:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cove Creek
2026-04-14T23:40
Arrive Wilmington
Wed, Apr 15, 5:24 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:44 AM to 1:44 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cove Creek
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Monroe
NC

City in and county seat of Union County, North Carolina, United States

From Cove Creek
171.4 mi
02h 52m
To Wilmington
176.5 mi
02h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph WSW
Destination
83°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cove Creek and Wilmington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cove Creek and Wilmington.

  1. 1

    Start on Cove Creek Road

    3035 ft · 1 min · Cove Creek Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Jonathan Creek Road

    718 ft · 19 sec · Jonathan Creek Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1403 ft · 34 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    24.8 mi · 31 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg

    22.8 mi · 28 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton

    1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

    810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

    17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on James A. Callahan Highway

    15.2 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard

    12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

    6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg

    572 ft · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

    1.3 km · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

    17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

    8.5 mi · 10 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte

    1104 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium

    118 m · 11 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Brookshire Boulevard

    1677 ft · 22 sec · Brookshire Boulevard

  21. 21

    Continue on Brookshire Freeway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Brookshire Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight left toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard

    2261 ft · 55 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight right onto East Independence Expressway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · East Independence Expressway

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard

    109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard

  25. 25

    Continue on East Independence Expressway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway

  26. 26

    Continue on East Independence Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard

  27. 27

    Continue on Independence Boulevard

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard

  28. 28

    Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway

    18.7 mi · 22 min · Monroe Expressway

  29. 29

    Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    1804 ft · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  30. 30

    Continue on West Marshville Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard

  31. 31

    Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  32. 32

    Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  33. 33

    Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  34. 34

    Continue on Salisbury Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street

  35. 35

    Continue on West Caswell Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street

  36. 36

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  37. 37

    Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  38. 38

    Continue on G R Kindley Freeway

    14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway

  39. 39

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  40. 40

    Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  41. 41

    Continue on American Indian Highway

    33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway

  42. 42

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  43. 43

    Continue on Ocean Highway East

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East

  44. 44

    Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

    1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

  45. 45

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street

  46. 46

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cove Creek and Wilmington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
46 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
105 mi · 30%
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 10%
Jonathan Creek Road
25.3 mi · 7%
I 26 East
22.8 mi · 7%
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi · 5%
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
18.1 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

59.8 mi · 01h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.5 mi
302.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monroe
02h 52m from Cove Creek
Leave By
5:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cove Creek and Sunny near Wilmington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cove Creek to Wilmington?

The road trip is about 347.9 miles (559.9 km) and usually takes 05h 44m 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?

Monroe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.4 miles from Cove Creek and 176.5 miles from Wilmington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 302.4 miles (486.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.5 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.64 one way or $97.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cove Creek and Sunny near Wilmington.

Stop Ideas Near Monroe

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Monroe, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Monroe.

RAIL

Charlotte

38 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Kannapolis

58 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Gastonia

64 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Salisbury

77 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cove Creek and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 302.44 mi (486.73 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Cove Creek

Cove Creek is a place in North Carolina, United States.

Population0
Coordinates35.6064900, -83.0112500
Altitude767
CountryUnited States
Wilmington

#2 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

Population124,794
Coordinates34.2257300, -77.9447100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: Cove Creek Road (-83.011112, 35.606565)
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 560 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.28 gal
46.47 L · about $48.64
Round trip
$97.28
24.56 gal · 92.94 L
Estimated CO2
109.1 kg one way
Round trip: 218.3 kg / 481 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $48.64 $97.28
Mid-grade $4.43 $54.39 $108.78
Premium $4.78 $58.67 $117.35
Diesel $5.62 $69.06 $138.13

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Cove Creek and Wilmington. The current time is 23:40:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.