How far is Hampstead, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Hampstead, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 26m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in New Hanover County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hampstead and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampstead and Wilmington.
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1
Start on the route
5.6 mi · 8 min
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2
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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3
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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4
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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5
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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7
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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8
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hampstead and Wilmington.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hampstead and Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hampstead to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Northchase is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from Hampstead and 12.1 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.37 one way or $6.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Hampstead and Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Northchase
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Founders Park
Lanier Parking
Leland Police-Animal Control
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Northchase.
Wilmington, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Kinston, NC
Havelock, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hampstead and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 16.58 mi (26.68 km).
#1 Hampstead
Unincorporated community in Pender County, North Carolina
| Population | 4,083 |
| Coordinates | 34.3676700, -77.7105300 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| 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: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.37 | $6.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $3.76 | $7.53 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.06 | $8.12 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $4.78 | $9.56 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.