How far is River Bend, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from River Bend, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 92.5 miles (148.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.8 miles (118.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m 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 01h 40m.
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.
Township in Onslow County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between River Bend and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Bend and Wilmington.
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1
Start on Shoreline Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
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2
Turn left onto US Highway 17 South
2.4 mi · 3 min · US Highway 17 South
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3
Take the ramp right
722 ft · 18 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 17 South: Jacksonville
2604 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
24.7 mi · 31 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1930 ft · 41 sec · North Marine Boulevard
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7
Continue on North Marine Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Marine Boulevard
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 35 min · Wilmington Highway
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9
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
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10
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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11
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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13
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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14
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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16
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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17
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between River Bend 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.
Wilmington Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Sunny leaving River Bend and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from River Bend to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 92.5 miles (148.9 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?
Sneads Ferry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45 miles from River Bend and 47.5 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.8 miles (118.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 3:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.95 one way or $25.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around River Bend and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Sneads Ferry
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 Sneads Ferry.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between River Bend and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 73.83 mi (118.82 km).
#1 River Bend
City in Craven County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 3,006 |
| Coordinates | 35.0690500, -77.1469000 |
| 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: 149 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.95 | $25.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.48 | $28.97 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.62 | $31.25 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $18.39 | $36.78 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.