How far is Swansboro, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Swansboro, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m 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 01h 28m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Swansboro and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swansboro and Wilmington.
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1
Start on South Water Street
12 m · 7 sec · South Water Street
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
766 ft · 36 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn slight left onto West Corbett Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · West Corbett Avenue
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4
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi · 12 min · Freedom Way
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5
Continue on Lejeune Boulevard
5 mi · 8 min · Lejeune Boulevard
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
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7
Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
1839 ft · 26 sec · Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
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8
Continue on KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left
1 km · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi · 41 min · Wilmington Highway
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11
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 13 min
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12
Continue on John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
12.4 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Clinton, Carolina Beach
1336 ft · 37 sec
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14
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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15
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
2010 ft · 31 sec · Ocean Highway East
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17
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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18
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Swansboro 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.
Wilmington Highway
Merge slight right onto Wilmington Highway
29.3 mi · 00h 41m
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 Swansboro 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 Swansboro to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
Holly Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.8 miles from Swansboro and 38.9 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 3:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.85 one way or $21.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Swansboro and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Holly Ridge
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 Holly Ridge.
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Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Swansboro and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 56.84 mi (91.48 km).
#1 Swansboro
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,394 |
| Coordinates | 34.6876600, -77.1191200 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: 125 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.85 | $21.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.14 | $24.27 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.09 | $26.18 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.41 | $30.82 |
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.