How far is Elon, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Elon, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.8 miles (252.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 57m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elon and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elon and Wilmington.
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1
Start on West Haggard Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Haggard Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Webb Avenue
4.7 mi · 6 min · West Webb Avenue
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3
Continue on West Elm Street
1524 ft · 28 sec · West Elm Street
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4
Turn left onto West Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Harden Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
24 m · 1 sec · East Harden Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Harden Street
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7
Turn left
1207 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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10
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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13
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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16
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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17
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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18
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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20
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
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21
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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22
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elon 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 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.
Mostly Clear leaving Elon and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elon to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Benson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.2 miles from Elon and 101.1 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.8 miles (252.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.57 one way or $55.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Elon and 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 Elon and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 156.86 mi (252.44 km).
#1 Elon
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 12,186 |
| Coordinates | 36.1029100, -79.5066900 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| 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: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.57 | $55.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.83 | $61.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.25 | $66.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.14 | $78.29 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.