How far is Raleigh, NC from Wrightsville Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Wrightsville Beach, NC is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.1 miles (190 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m 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 26m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Raleigh and Wrightsville Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Wrightsville Beach.
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1
Start on East South Street
154 m · 21 sec · East South Street
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2
Turn right onto South Blount Street
3167 ft · 1 min · South Blount Street
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3
Continue on Hammond Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Hammond Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right
906 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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10
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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11
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.2 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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12
Continue on Eastwood Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Eastwood Road
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13
Continue on Wrightsville Avenue
1488 ft · 34 sec · Wrightsville Avenue
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14
Continue on Causeway Drive
691 ft · 17 sec · Causeway Drive
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Causeway Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Causeway Drive
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Causeway Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Wrightsville Beach.
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 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 Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Raleigh and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Wrightsville Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Wrightsville Beach?
The road trip is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Turkey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.9 miles from Raleigh and 64.8 miles from Wrightsville Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.1 miles (190 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 1:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.14 one way or $36.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Raleigh and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Wrightsville Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Turkey
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 Turkey.
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Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Wrightsville Beach. Straight-line distance: 118.09 mi (190.04 km).
#1 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wrightsville Beach
City in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,516 |
| Coordinates | 34.2085000, -77.7963700 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wrightsville Beach (-77.79637, 34.2085)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.14 | $36.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.28 | $40.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $21.88 | $43.77 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $25.76 | $51.52 |
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.