How far is Oak Island, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Oak Island, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 and county seat of Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oak Island and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Island and Wilmington.
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1
Start on South Middleton Avenue
1405 ft · 36 sec · South Middleton Avenue
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2
Continue on North Middleton Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Middleton Street
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3
Continue on Midway Road Southeast
6.5 mi · 9 min · Midway Road Southeast
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4
Turn right onto Old Ocean Highway
2380 ft · 41 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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5
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Main Street
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6
Continue on Old Ocean Highway
1679 ft · 35 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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7
Turn right onto Ocean Highway East
13.1 mi · 19 min · Ocean Highway East
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 17
2647 ft · 38 sec
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9
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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10
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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11
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 17 sec · South 3rd Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oak Island and Wilmington.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Ocean Highway East
Turn right onto Ocean Highway East
13.1 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Oak Island and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oak Island to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bolivia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.1 miles from Oak Island and 15.1 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.20 one way or $8.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Oak Island and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Bolivia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Founders Park
Kure Beach Community Center
Brunswick County Government Complex
Leland Police-Animal Control
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bolivia.
Wilmington, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oak Island and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 24.69 mi (39.74 km).
#1 Oak Island
City in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 8,735 |
| Coordinates | 33.9165600, -78.1611100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.20 | $8.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.69 | $9.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $5.06 | $10.13 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.96 | $11.92 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.