How far is Salisbury, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Salisbury, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 228.2 miles (367.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.6 miles (281 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Scotland County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Salisbury and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salisbury and Wilmington.
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1
Start on West Innes Street
1.7 mi · 5 min · West Innes Street
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2
Turn left onto Newsome Road
71 m · 10 sec · Newsome Road
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3
Turn right onto Stokes Ferry Road
8.8 mi · 13 min · Stokes Ferry Road
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4
Turn right onto Liberty Road
4.3 mi · 6 min · Liberty Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 10 min
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6
Turn right onto South Main Street
1624 ft · 42 sec · South Main Street
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7
Turn left onto Old Salisbury Road
7.1 mi · 10 min · Old Salisbury Road
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8
Continue on Salisbury Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Salisbury Avenue
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9
Turn right
29.4 mi · 39 min
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10
Turn left onto W. Cliff Martin Highway
2040 ft · 26 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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11
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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12
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
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13
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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15
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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16
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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18
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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19
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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20
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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21
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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22
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salisbury 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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Salisbury and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salisbury to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 228.2 miles (367.3 km) and usually takes 03h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
East Laurinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.7 miles from Salisbury and 125.5 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.6 miles (281 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.89 one way or $63.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salisbury and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near East Laurinburg
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 East Laurinburg.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salisbury and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 174.61 mi (281.01 km).
#1 Salisbury
City in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 33,821 |
| Coordinates | 35.6709700, -80.4742300 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| 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: 367 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.89 | $63.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.65 | $71.31 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.46 | $76.93 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $45.27 | $90.55 |
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.