How far is Spruce Pine, NC from Wilmington, NC?
Fastest route
The distance between Spruce Pine, North Carolina (28777) and Wilmington, North Carolina is approximately 321 miles (517 kilometers). The fastest route, which takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes, is via US-74 E. Please note that this route has tolls.
Directions
To begin your journey from Spruce Pine, North Carolina to Wilmington, North Carolina, follow these steps:
- Head south on Amethyst St toward Oak Ave.
- Continue onto Altapass Hwy.
- Turn right onto S North Carolina 226.
- Continue straight onto NC-226 S.
- Turn left to stay on NC-226 S.
- Continue straight onto NC-226 S.
- Turn left to merge onto I-40 E toward Morganton.
- Continue on I-40 E.
- Take the exit onto US-321 S toward NC-127/Lincolnton.
- Use the left lane to take the ramp to I-85 N/Charlotte.
- Use the right lane to take exit 30 for I-485 toward I-77/Pineville/Huntersville.
- Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-485 Outer S/I-77 S/Columbia.
- Keep left and merge onto I-485/I-485 Outer.
- Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto US-74 E toward Monroe (Toll road).
- Keep left to continue on US-74 Bypass.
- Drive to US-74 E in Lumberton.
- Continue onto I-74 E/US-74 E.
- Use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right onto I-74 E (signs for Lumberton).
- Keep right to continue on US-74/US-76.
- Continue to follow US-76 E.
- Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Oleander Dr.
- Pass by Batteries Plus on the right.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🛣️ Plan your trip in advance and consider checking for real-time traffic updates.
- ⛽ It's a long journey, so make sure to fill up your gas tank before starting.
- 🚧 Be aware of any road construction or detours along the way.
- 📱 Use a GPS or navigation app to help you stay on track.
- 🚘 Take breaks during the drive to rest and stretch your legs.
- 🍽️ Pack some snacks and water for the trip.
- 📞 Keep important contact numbers handy in case of emergencies.
- 🚦 Observe traffic rules and stay safe on the road.
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 05h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spruce Pine and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spruce Pine and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on Oak Avenue
14 m · 7 sec · Oak Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Altapass Highway
4.9 mi · 9 min · Altapass Highway
-
3
Turn left onto Peppers Creek Road
705 ft · 24 sec · Peppers Creek Road
-
4
Continue on Peppers Creek Road
4.4 mi · 9 min · Peppers Creek Road
-
5
Turn right
15.3 mi · 22 min
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6
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
-
7
Take the exit left
1692 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left
35.7 mi · 40 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
1234 ft · 30 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 321 South: Lincolnton
1.1 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
32 mi · 38 min
-
12
Take the exit straight toward I 85 North: Charlotte
1 km · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
10.2 mi · 12 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
-
14
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi · 10 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
1104 ft · 27 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
118 m · 11 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Brookshire Boulevard
1677 ft · 22 sec · Brookshire Boulevard
-
18
Continue on Brookshire Freeway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Brookshire Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight left toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
2261 ft · 55 sec
-
20
Merge slight right onto East Independence Expressway
3.3 mi · 4 min · East Independence Expressway
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on East Independence Boulevard
109 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard
-
22
Continue on East Independence Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · East Independence Expressway
-
23
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · East Independence Boulevard
-
24
Continue on Independence Boulevard
4.5 mi · 6 min · Independence Boulevard
-
25
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi · 22 min · Monroe Expressway
-
26
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
1804 ft · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
-
27
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
-
28
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
-
29
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
30
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
31
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
-
32
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
-
33
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
34
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
35
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
-
36
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
37
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
38
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
-
39
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
40
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
-
41
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
-
42
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
-
43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spruce Pine and Wilmington.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Spruce Pine and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spruce Pine to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 318 miles (511.7 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?
Peachland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.3 miles from Spruce Pine and 160.7 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 260.5 miles (419.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.44 one way or $88.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Spruce Pine and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Peachland
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 Peachland.
Hamlet
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spruce Pine and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 260.55 mi (419.32 km).
#1 Spruce Pine
Town in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,126 |
| Coordinates | 35.9154000, -82.0645600 |
| Altitude | 780 |
| 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: 512 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $44.44 | $88.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $49.69 | $99.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $53.61 | $107.22 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $63.10 | $126.20 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.