How far is Lake Norman of Catawba, NC from Wilmington, NC?
Fastest route
The route from Lake Norman of Catawba, North Carolina, USA to Wilmington, North Carolina, USA is approximately 234 miles and takes about 3 hours and 51 minutes via US-74 E. The route includes tolls and passes through various cities and highways.
Directions
- Take NC-150 E and head west on Riverwood Rd toward Longview Cove.
- Turn right onto Kiser Island Rd and continue until you pass Chili's Grill & Bar on your right.
- Merge onto I-77 S toward Charlotte.
- Follow I-77 Express Ln, E Independence Fwy, and US-74 BYP to US-74 E in Union County.
- Keep left at the fork to continue on I-77 Express Ln (toll road).
- Use the left lane to merge onto I-277 S and continue until you reach US-74 E/E Independence Fwy.
- Keep left to continue on E Independence Blvd/E Independence Fwy and then continue straight onto US-74 E/E Independence Blvd/E Independence Fwy (toll road). Pass by Wendy's on the right.
- Continue onto I-74 E/US-74 E and use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right onto I-74 E.
- Keep right to continue on US-74/US-76 and follow the road.
- Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Oleander Dr and pass by Batteries Plus on the right. You will reach Wilmington, North Carolina, USA.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Make sure to plan for tolls along the route.
- 🛣️ Follow the signs for US-74 E and US-76 E to stay on the correct highways.
- 📅 Consider checking for any road closures or traffic updates before starting your journey.
- ⛽ It's a good idea to fuel up your vehicle before embarking on the trip.
- 🍽️ Pack some snacks or plan for meal stops along the way.
- 🚦 Observe traffic rules and stay alert while driving.
- 🗺️ Use a reliable navigation system or GPS to assist you throughout the journey.
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 55m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Norman of Catawba and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on Riverwood Road
962 ft · 44 sec · Riverwood Road
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Kiser Island Road
2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road
-
3
Turn right onto East NC 150 Highway
6.4 mi · 10 min · East NC 150 Highway
-
4
Take the ramp right toward I 77 South: Charlotte
1415 ft · 35 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
6
Keep slight right
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South
2.5 mi · 3 min · I-77 South
-
8
Continue on I 77 South
2.1 mi · 2 min · I 77 South
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 South
2.3 mi · 3 min · I 77 South
-
10
Continue on I-77 South
1990 ft · 26 sec · I-77 South
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South
1.1 mi · 1 min · I-77 South
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
1201 ft · 29 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 485 North Inner: Matthews
1.3 km · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 485 North Inner: Matthews
1526 ft · 37 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto H Allen Tate Jr Highway
6.6 mi · 7 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway
-
16
Continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway
13 mi · 14 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward NC 218: Mint Hill
1665 ft · 46 sec
-
18
Turn left onto Fairview Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Fairview Road
-
19
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 3 sec
-
21
Exit the roundabout
6.7 mi · 9 min
-
22
Turn slight left
2.8 mi · 4 min
-
23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
71 m · 5 sec
-
24
Exit the roundabout
4.2 mi · 6 min
-
25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 3 sec
-
26
Exit the roundabout
13.4 mi · 20 min
-
27
Turn right onto Williams Street
1319 ft · 29 sec · Williams Street
-
28
Turn right onto W. Cliff Martin Highway
137 m · 7 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
29
Take the exit slight left
151 m · 20 sec
-
30
Turn left onto W. Cliff Martin Highway
2922 ft · 45 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
31
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
32
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
-
33
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
-
34
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
35
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
36
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
-
37
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
38
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
39
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
-
40
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
41
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
-
42
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
-
43
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
-
44
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Norman of Catawba 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.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 01h 13m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Norman of Catawba and Mostly Cloudy near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Norman of Catawba to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 236.1 miles (379.9 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Gibson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.3 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba and 121.8 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195 miles (313.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 9:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.00 one way or $65.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Norman of Catawba and Mostly Cloudy near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Gibson
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 Gibson.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 194.99 mi (313.8 km).
#1 Lake Norman of Catawba
Township in Catawba County, North Carolina
| Population | 5,075 |
| Coordinates | 35.5868000, -80.9595200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| 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: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.00 | $65.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.89 | $73.79 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.80 | $79.60 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $46.85 | $93.70 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.