How far is Sumter, SC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Sumter, SC to Wilmington, NC is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.8 miles (223.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m 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 20m.
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.
Town in Robeson County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sumter and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter and Wilmington.
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1
Start on East Liberty Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Liberty Street
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2
Turn slight right onto Myrtle Beach Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
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3
Continue straight
11.7 mi · 15 min
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4
Take the exit left toward I 95 North: Florence
1642 ft · 40 sec
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5
Merge slight left
75.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 74, US 74: Wilmington, Rockingham
2677 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 74 East, US 74 East: Whiteville, Wilmington
1.1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto American Indian Highway
14.5 mi · 16 min · American Indian Highway
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9
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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10
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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11
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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12
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sumter 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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
75.3 mi · 01h 21m
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 Sumter and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sumter to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?
Raynham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Sumter and 85.1 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.8 miles (223.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.77 one way or $47.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sumter and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Raynham
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 Raynham.
Dillon
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sumter and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 138.78 mi (223.34 km).
#1 Sumter
City in and county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 39,439 |
| Coordinates | 33.9204400, -80.3414700 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| 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: Wilmington (-77.94471, 34.22573)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.77 | $47.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.67 | $57.34 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.74 | $67.49 |
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 South Carolina · Aug 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.