How far is Sunset Beach, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Sunset Beach, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 46.2 miles (74.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 00h 52m.
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.
Town in and county seat of Brunswick County, 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 Sunset Beach and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunset Beach and Wilmington.
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1
Start on Sunset Boulevard South
1889 ft · 46 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Sunset Boulevard North
68 m · 5 sec · Sunset Boulevard North
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard North
1.7 mi · 3 min · Sunset Boulevard North
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4
Turn left onto Seaside Road Southwest
3.6 mi · 6 min · Seaside Road Southwest
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5
Turn right onto Ocean Highway West
36.7 mi · 50 min · Ocean Highway West
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 17
2647 ft · 38 sec
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7
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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8
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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9
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 17 sec · South 3rd Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sunset Beach 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.
Ocean Highway West
Turn right onto Ocean Highway West
36.7 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sunset Beach 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 Sunset Beach to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 46.2 miles (74.3 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Bolivia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from Sunset Beach and 22.7 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 4:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.46 one way or $12.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sunset Beach and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Bolivia
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 Bolivia.
Wilmington, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sunset Beach and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 40.3 mi (64.85 km).
#1 Sunset Beach
City in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 4,172 |
| Coordinates | 33.8807300, -78.5122300 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| 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: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $6.46 | $12.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $7.22 | $14.44 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $7.79 | $15.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $9.17 | $18.33 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.