How far is James City, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from James City, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 100.7 miles (162.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.9 miles (127 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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 01h 47m.
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.
The most populous city in Onslow County, North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between James City and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between James City and Wilmington.
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1
Start on the route
7.6 mi · 9 min
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2
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 38 min
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3
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1930 ft · 41 sec · North Marine Boulevard
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4
Continue on North Marine Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Marine Boulevard
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 35 min · Wilmington Highway
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6
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
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7
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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8
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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10
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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11
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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13
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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14
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between James City 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.
US 17 South
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving James City and Chance 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 James City to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 100.7 miles (162.1 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Jacksonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.5 miles from James City and 51.2 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.9 miles (127 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 2:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.06 one way or $28.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around James City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville.
Jacksonville, NC
Havelock, NC
New Bern, NC
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between James City and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 78.93 mi (127.02 km).
#1 James City
Census designated place
| Population | 5,899 |
| Coordinates | 35.0887700, -77.0349500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 162 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.06 | $28.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.72 | $31.45 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.96 | $33.92 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.97 | $39.93 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.