How far is Madison, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Madison, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m 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 43m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on South Market Street
7 m · 8 sec · South Market Street
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2
Turn left onto East Academy Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Academy Street
-
3
Take the ramp slight right
1688 ft · 47 sec
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4
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 7 min
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5
Keep slight right
645 ft · 10 sec
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6
Keep slight right
2655 ft · 41 sec
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7
Keep slight left
4 mi · 4 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 220 South: Greensboro
7.2 mi · 11 min
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9
Take the exit slight left
1969 ft · 48 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop
13.6 mi · 16 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 40, I 85 North
619 ft · 15 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East, I 85 North
1.2 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
31.3 mi · 36 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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15
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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16
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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18
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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21
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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22
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
-
23
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
-
25
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
-
26
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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27
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Madison and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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 117.1 miles from Madison and 98.4 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.10 one way or $60.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Madison 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
Clayton Utilities
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
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 Madison and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 187.53 mi (301.8 km).
#1 Madison
Town located in Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 2,108 |
| Coordinates | 36.3854200, -79.9594900 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| 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: 347 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.10 | $60.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.66 | $67.32 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.31 | $72.63 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.74 | $85.48 |
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.