How far is River Road, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from River Road, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.7 miles (166.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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 27m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between River Road and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Road and Wilmington.
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1
Start on Ross Road
78 m · 14 sec · Ross Road
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2
Turn right onto River Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · River Road
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3
Continue on Captain Patrick "Oly" Olsen Memorial Bridge
565 ft · 14 sec · Captain Patrick "Oly" Olsen Memorial Bridge
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4
Continue on Park Drive
2677 ft · 1 min · Park Drive
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5
Continue on East 3rd Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East 3rd Street
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6
Turn left onto Bridge Street
16.2 mi · 21 min · Bridge Street
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7
Turn slight left
6.9 mi · 8 min
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8
Turn right onto Weyerhaeuser Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Weyerhaeuser Road
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9
Continue on Washington Post Road
6.9 mi · 9 min · Washington Post Road
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10
Take the exit slight right
1925 ft · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 56 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
30.2 mi · 38 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1930 ft · 41 sec · North Marine Boulevard
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14
Continue on North Marine Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Marine Boulevard
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Highway
24.9 mi · 35 min · Wilmington Highway
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16
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
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17
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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18
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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20
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
21
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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23
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
-
24
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 17 sec · South 3rd Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between River Road 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.
Sunny leaving River Road 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 Road to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Pumpkin Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.7 miles from River Road and 67.5 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.7 miles (166.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 1:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.62 one way or $37.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around River Road and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Pumpkin Center
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 Pumpkin Center.
Jacksonville, NC
Havelock, NC
New Bern, NC
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between River Road and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 103.73 mi (166.93 km).
#1 River Road
Township in Beaufort County, North Carolina
| Population | 4,394 |
| Coordinates | 35.5068300, -76.9907800 |
| 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: 214 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.62 | $37.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.46 | $44.91 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.43 | $52.87 |
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.