How far is Polkton, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Polkton, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 154.7 miles (248.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 00m 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 30m.
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.
County seat in North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polkton and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polkton and Wilmington.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn right onto Ashe Street
545 ft · 25 sec · Ashe Street
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3
Turn right onto Freemont Street
880 ft · 46 sec · Freemont Street
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4
Turn sharp left onto Williams Street
1653 ft · 37 sec · Williams Street
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5
Turn right onto W. Cliff Martin Highway
137 m · 7 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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6
Take the exit slight left
151 m · 20 sec
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7
Turn left onto W. Cliff Martin Highway
2922 ft · 45 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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9
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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10
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
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11
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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13
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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14
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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16
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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17
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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18
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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19
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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20
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Polkton 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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Polkton and 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 Polkton to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 154.7 miles (248.9 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?
Lumberton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Polkton and 77.4 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.63 one way or $43.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Polkton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Lumberton
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 Lumberton.
Dillon
Fayetteville
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polkton and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 139.2 mi (224.02 km).
#1 Polkton
City in Anson County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,288 |
| Coordinates | 35.0076500, -80.2008900 |
| Altitude | 99 |
| 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: 249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.63 | $43.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.18 | $48.36 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.09 | $52.18 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.71 | $61.41 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.