How far is Mount Airy, NC from Wilmington, NC?

The driving distance from Mount Airy, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 266.1 miles (428.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 217.2 miles (349.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m 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
266.15 mi
04h 12m
Flight
217.2 mi
349.55 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mount Airy.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
217.2 mi
Kilometers
349.55 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
266.15 mi
Kilometers
428.32 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 04h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wilmington
Sun, Apr 19, 10:39 AM EDT
Return by in Mount Airy
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mount Airy
2026-04-19T06:27
Arrive Wilmington
Sun, Apr 19, 10:39 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM EDT

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

Leave by
8:36 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mount Airy
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
Holly Springs
NC

City in and county seat of Marshall County, Mississippi, United States

From Mount Airy
131.4 mi
02h 06m
To Wilmington
134.7 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph NW
Destination
86°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Airy and Wilmington.

  1. 1

    Start on West Pine Street

    21 m · 5 sec · West Pine Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1 km · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Main Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Andy Griffith Parkway

    23.3 mi · 26 min · South Andy Griffith Parkway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on NC 74 East

    13.3 mi · 16 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on US 421 South: Greensboro

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway

  8. 8

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

    12.2 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford

    1133 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford

    26.3 mi · 32 min

  11. 11

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

    1413 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    10.9 mi · 15 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    21 mi · 27 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South

    2827 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington

    2538 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    1.3 km · 53 sec

  18. 18

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

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  20. 20

    Continue on North College Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

  22. 22

    Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Market Street

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto South 16th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Wooster Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Airy 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
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
109 mi · 41%
US 421 South
27.4 mi · 10%
South Andy Griffith Parkway
23.3 mi · 9%
Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 8%
US 64
21.3 mi · 8%
NC 74 East
13.3 mi · 5%
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
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.9 mi
217.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Holly Springs
02h 06m from Mount Airy
Leave By
8:36 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Mount Airy and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mount Airy to Wilmington?

The road trip is about 266.1 miles (428.3 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Holly Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Mount Airy and 134.7 miles from Wilmington.

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

The direct path is about 217.2 miles (349.5 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 8:36 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.19 one way or $74.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Mount Airy and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.

Stop Ideas Near Holly Springs

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 Holly Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 0.7 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 10.3 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 10.2 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 7.9 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Holly Springs.

RAIL

Cary

16 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

20 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

22 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

39 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mount Airy and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 217.2 mi (349.55 km).

Mount Airy

#1 Mount Airy

City in Surry County, North Carolina, United States

Population10,175
Coordinates36.4993000, -80.6072900
Altitude335
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 Pine Street (-80.607263, 36.499243)
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 428 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.39 gal
35.55 L · about $37.19
Round trip
$74.39
18.78 gal · 71.1 L
Estimated CO2
83.4 kg one way
Round trip: 166.9 kg / 368 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $37.19 $74.39
Mid-grade $4.43 $41.59 $83.18
Premium $4.78 $44.87 $89.73
Diesel $5.62 $52.81 $105.62

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Mount Airy and Wilmington. The current time is 06:27:45.

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.