How far is Sanford, NC from Jacksonville, NC?
The driving distance from Sanford, NC to Jacksonville, NC is about 129.1 miles (207.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m 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 28m.
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 Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Jacksonville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Jacksonville.
-
1
Start on South Horner Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Horner Boulevard
-
2
Turn left
18.3 mi · 26 min
-
3
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
-
4
Turn right onto East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
3.3 mi · 5 min · East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
-
5
Take the exit slight left
62 m · 6 sec
-
6
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
2010 ft · 50 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leslie Campbell Avenue
56 m · 6 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
-
8
Exit the roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
679 ft · 17 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leslie Campbell Avenue
49 m · 4 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leslie Campbell Avenue
-
11
Continue straight
9.9 mi · 15 min
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Main Street
23 m · 2 sec · West Main Street
-
13
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · West Main Street
-
14
Take the ramp left
1248 ft · 30 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 54 sec
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1480 ft · 36 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington
2155 ft · 53 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
44.4 mi · 48 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
1701 ft · 48 sec
-
20
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Kenansville Bypass
-
21
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
1.5 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
-
22
Turn right
5.1 mi · 7 min
-
23
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Hallsville Road
-
24
Turn right onto Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Jackson Store Road
-
25
At the end of the road, turn left
14.4 mi · 21 min
-
26
Merge slight left onto Richlands Highway
5 mi · 8 min · Richlands Highway
-
27
Turn left
132 m · 8 sec
-
28
Turn slight right onto Richlands Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway
-
29
Continue on South Marine Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Marine Boulevard
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Marine Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Jacksonville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 40 East
Merge slight left
44.4 mi · 00h 48m
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 leaving Sanford and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jacksonville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Jacksonville?
The road trip is about 129.1 miles (207.7 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?
Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.2 miles from Sanford and 64.8 miles from Jacksonville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 1:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.02 one way or $36.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sanford and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jacksonville.
Stop Ideas Near Keener
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 Keener.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Fayetteville
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Jacksonville. Straight-line distance: 110.89 mi (178.46 km).
#1 Sanford
City in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 30,361 |
| Coordinates | 35.4798800, -79.1803000 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jacksonville
The most populous city in Onslow County, North Carolina.
| Population | 76,284 |
| Coordinates | 34.7540500, -77.4302400 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Marine Boulevard (-77.43026, 34.754117)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.02 | $36.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $21.74 | $43.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $25.59 | $51.18 |
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.