How far is Kernersville, NC from Wilmington, NC?

The driving distance from Kernersville, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 198.2 miles (318.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.7 miles (286 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
198.13 mi
03h 27m
Flight
177.71 mi
286 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kernersville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
177.71 mi
Kilometers
286 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
198.13 mi
Kilometers
318.86 km
Drive Time
03h 27m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wilmington
Sun, Apr 12, 9:49 AM EDT
Return by in Kernersville
Sun, Apr 12, 1:16 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kernersville
2026-04-12T06:22
Arrive Wilmington
Sun, Apr 12, 9:49 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:06 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kernersville
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Angier
NC

City in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Kernersville
109.9 mi
01h 43m
To Wilmington
88.2 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kernersville and Wilmington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kernersville and Wilmington.

  1. 1

    Start on West Mountain Street

    2653 ft · 49 sec · West Mountain Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight right

    1544 ft · 46 sec

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward US 421 South, NC 150 East: Greensboro

    1361 ft · 33 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    7.9 mi · 9 min · Salem Parkway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham

    12.2 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford

    1133 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford

    26.3 mi · 32 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro

    1413 ft · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left

    10.9 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    21 mi · 27 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South

    2827 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington

    2538 ft · 49 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.3 km · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  17. 17

    Continue on North College Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Market Street

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto South 16th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Wooster Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kernersville and Wilmington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
109 mi · 55%
US 421 South
26.6 mi · 13%
Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 11%
US 64
21.3 mi · 11%
I 73 South
12.2 mi · 6%
Salem Parkway
7.91 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.5 mi
177.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Angier
01h 43m from Kernersville
Leave By
10:06 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Kernersville and Sunny near Wilmington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kernersville to Wilmington?

The road trip is about 198.2 miles (318.9 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?

Angier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.9 miles from Kernersville and 88.2 miles from Wilmington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 177.7 miles (286 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.5 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 $27.69 one way or $55.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kernersville and Sunny near Wilmington.

Stop Ideas Near Angier

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Angier and the surrounding midpoint area.
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 12.4 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 10.3 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
Nearby stop 9.8 mi away

Angier Police Department And Town Hall

Angier , NC
55 N Broad St W, Angier, NC 27501
Rating 4.3/5 6 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Angier.

RAIL

Cary

31 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

31 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

32 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

42 mi away
500 East Railroad Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kernersville and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 177.71 mi (286 km).

Kernersville

#1 Kernersville

City in North Carolina, United States of America

Population24,891
Coordinates36.1198600, -80.0736500
Altitude308
CountryUnited States
Wilmington

#2 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

Population124,794
Coordinates34.2257300, -77.9447100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: West Mountain Street (-80.073623, 36.119911)
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 319 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.99 gal
26.47 L · about $27.69
Round trip
$55.37
13.98 gal · 52.94 L
Estimated CO2
62.1 kg one way
Round trip: 124.2 kg / 274 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $27.69 $55.37
Mid-grade $4.43 $30.96 $61.92
Premium $4.78 $33.40 $66.80
Diesel $5.62 $39.31 $78.62

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Kernersville and Wilmington. The current time is 06:22:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.