How far is King, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from King, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 245.6 miles (395.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m 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 45m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between King and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between King and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on North Main Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
-
2
Turn left
1547 ft · 38 sec
-
3
Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway
3.9 mi · 5 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
-
4
Keep slight left to continue on NC 74 East
13.3 mi · 16 min
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on US 421 South: Greensboro
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
11.4 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
12.2 mi · 13 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford
1133 ft · 28 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford
26.3 mi · 32 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
1413 ft · 42 sec
-
11
Turn left
10.9 mi · 15 min
-
12
Keep slight left
21 mi · 27 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South
2827 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington
2538 ft · 49 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 53 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
18
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
19
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
-
20
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
-
21
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
-
23
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
-
24
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
-
25
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between King 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.
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.
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 King and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from King to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 245.6 miles (395.3 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Garner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from King and 124.4 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.9 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 9:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.34 one way or $68.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around King and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Garner
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Town of Cary
Town Hall Commons
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Garner.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between King and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 196.76 mi (316.65 km).
#1 King
City in North Carolina
| Population | 6,912 |
| Coordinates | 36.2806900, -80.3592200 |
| Altitude | 341 |
| 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: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.34 | $68.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.40 | $76.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.43 | $82.85 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.76 | $97.52 |
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.