How far is Emerald Isle, NC from Wilmington, NC?
Fastest route
The route from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, to Wilmington, North Carolina, is approximately 84.6 miles and takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes via Hwy 17 S/N US 17. It is currently the fastest route considering traffic conditions.
Directions
- Head west on Emerald Dr toward Burlington St.
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto North Carolina Hwy 58 N/Emerald Dr.
- Continue to follow North Carolina Hwy 58 N.
- Take NC-24 W/Old NC-58 N and merge onto NC-24 W.
- Pass by Taco Bell (on the right in 15.7 mi).
- Use the left 2 lanes to merge onto NC-24 W/US-17 S via the ramp to NC-24 W/Wilmington.
- Use the left 2 lanes to merge onto US-17 S/Hwy 17 S toward Wilmington.
- Pass by the gas station (on the left in 19.4 mi).
- Keep left to continue on NC-140/Hwy 17 S.
- Take exit 20 B-A to merge onto I-40 E toward Wilmington.
- Continue onto N College Rd, and you will reach Wilmington, North Carolina.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan your trip according to traffic conditions to ensure the fastest route.
- ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
- 🚦 Observe traffic signals and signs for a safe and smooth drive.
- 📱 Consider using navigation apps for real-time updates and alternative routes.
- 🍴 If needed, plan for stops along the way to grab a meal or take a break.
- 🚧 Stay aware of any road construction or detours that may affect your route.
- 📅 Check the weather conditions before starting your journey and prepare accordingly.
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 01h 45m.
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.
Township in Onslow County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Emerald Isle and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emerald Isle and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on Emerald Drive
5.9 mi · 10 min · Emerald Drive
-
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Emerald Drive
25 m · 2 sec · Emerald Drive
-
3
Exit the rotary onto Emerald Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · Emerald Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Cedar Point Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Cedar Point Boulevard
-
5
Continue on West Corbett Avenue
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Corbett Avenue
-
6
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi · 12 min · Freedom Way
-
7
Continue on Lejeune Boulevard
5 mi · 8 min · Lejeune Boulevard
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
-
9
Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
1839 ft · 26 sec · Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
-
10
Continue on KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight left
1 km · 53 sec
-
12
Merge slight right onto Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi · 41 min · Wilmington Highway
-
13
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
-
14
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
-
16
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
17
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
-
19
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
-
20
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Emerald Isle 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.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Emerald Isle and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Emerald Isle to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 89.4 miles (143.9 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?
Sneads Ferry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.6 miles from Emerald Isle and 44.7 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 3:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.48 one way or $24.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Emerald Isle and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Sneads Ferry
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 Sneads Ferry.
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Havelock, NC
Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Emerald Isle and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 64.68 mi (104.09 km).
#1 Emerald Isle
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,676 |
| Coordinates | 34.6779400, -76.9507800 |
| 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: 144 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.48 | $24.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.72 | $35.43 |
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.