How far is Hertford, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Hertford, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 196.8 miles (316.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 27m.
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.
City in and county seat of Craven County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hertford and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hertford and Wilmington.
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1
Start on West Grubb Street
55 m · 11 sec · West Grubb Street
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2
Turn right onto North Church Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Church Street
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3
Turn right onto Ocean Highway South
32.6 mi · 40 min · Ocean Highway South
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4
Continue straight
15.7 mi · 21 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
1249 ft · 33 sec
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6
Turn right
35.3 mi · 44 min
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7
Turn slight left
6.9 mi · 8 min
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8
Turn right onto Weyerhaeuser Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Weyerhaeuser Road
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9
Continue on Washington Post Road
6.9 mi · 9 min · Washington Post Road
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10
Take the exit slight right
1925 ft · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 56 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 38 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1930 ft · 41 sec · North Marine Boulevard
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14
Continue on North Marine Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Marine Boulevard
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 35 min · Wilmington Highway
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16
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
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17
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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18
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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20
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
21
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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23
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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24
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hertford 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.
Longest stretch
Turn right
35.3 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Sunny leaving Hertford and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hertford to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 196.8 miles (316.7 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
New Bern is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.5 miles from Hertford and 99.3 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 10:06 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.53 one way or $55.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hertford and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near New Bern
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 New Bern.
New Bern, NC
Havelock, NC
Kinston, NC
Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hertford and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 159.34 mi (256.43 km).
#1 Hertford
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 2,143 |
| Coordinates | 36.1901600, -76.4660500 |
| 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: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 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 | $27.53 | $55.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.78 | $61.56 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.21 | $66.41 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.09 | $78.17 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.