How far is Locust, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Locust, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 02h 57m.
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.
Town in Robeson County, 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 Locust and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Locust and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on the route
18 m · 9 sec
-
2
Turn left
61 m · 20 sec
-
3
Turn left
53 m · 18 sec
-
4
Turn left onto South Central Avenue
94 m · 8 sec · South Central Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto East Main Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · East Main Street
-
6
Turn right
4.3 mi · 8 min
-
7
Continue straight
22.3 mi · 30 min
-
8
Turn right
1666 ft · 39 sec
-
9
Turn left onto W. Cliff Martin Highway
2040 ft · 26 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
10
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
-
11
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
-
12
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
14
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
-
15
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
17
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
-
18
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
19
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
-
20
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
-
21
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Locust 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 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.
Sunny leaving Locust and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Locust to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Pembroke is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Locust and 89.2 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 12:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.91 one way or $49.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Locust and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Pembroke
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 Pembroke.
Dillon
Fayetteville
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Locust and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 157.92 mi (254.15 km).
#1 Locust
Human settlement in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 3,270 |
| Coordinates | 35.2598700, -80.4253400 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| 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: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.91 | $49.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.86 | $55.72 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.05 | $60.11 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.37 | $70.75 |
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.