How far is Plymouth, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Plymouth, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 162.1 miles (260.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132 miles (212.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m 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 54m.
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.
Human settlement in Jones County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plymouth and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on the route
11 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
621 ft · 30 sec · East Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto Washington Street
3104 ft · 1 min · Washington Street
-
4
Turn right onto U.S. Highway 64 West
2 mi · 3 min · U.S. Highway 64 West
-
5
Continue on US Highway 64 West
8.2 mi · 11 min · US Highway 64 West
-
6
Turn left onto Andrews Street
16.9 mi · 24 min · Andrews Street
-
7
Merge slight left
738 ft · 11 sec
-
8
Take the exit slight left
117 m · 17 sec
-
9
Turn left
22.2 mi · 28 min
-
10
Turn slight left
6.9 mi · 8 min
-
11
Turn right onto Weyerhaeuser Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Weyerhaeuser Road
-
12
Continue on Washington Post Road
6.9 mi · 9 min · Washington Post Road
-
13
Take the exit slight right
1925 ft · 47 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 56 sec
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 38 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1930 ft · 41 sec · North Marine Boulevard
-
17
Continue on North Marine Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Marine Boulevard
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 35 min · Wilmington Highway
-
19
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
-
20
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
-
21
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
-
23
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
24
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
25
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
-
26
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
-
27
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plymouth 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.
US 17 South
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Plymouth 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 Plymouth to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 162.1 miles (260.9 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Pollocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.2 miles from Plymouth and 82 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132 miles (212.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.66 one way or $45.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Plymouth and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Pollocksville
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 Pollocksville.
New Bern, NC
Havelock, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plymouth and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 132.04 mi (212.5 km).
#1 Plymouth
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,332 |
| Coordinates | 35.8668300, -76.7485600 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.66 | $45.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.33 | $50.67 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.33 | $54.66 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.17 | $64.34 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.