How far is Wake Forest, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Wake Forest, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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 24m.
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 Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wake Forest and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wake Forest and Wilmington.
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1
Start on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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2
Continue on East South Avenue
119 m · 14 sec · East South Avenue
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · South Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue
812 ft · 30 sec · South Avenue
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5
Continue on Durham Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Durham Road
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6
Take the ramp left
1087 ft · 27 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Capital Boulevard
4.4 mi · 6 min · Capital Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
8.1 mi · 13 min · Capital Boulevard
-
9
Take the exit straight toward I 440 East: Rocky Mount
1107 ft · 32 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 7 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Wilmington
1 mi · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
7.4 mi · 8 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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13
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
16
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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17
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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18
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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20
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
-
21
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
-
22
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wake Forest 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 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Sunny leaving Wake Forest and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wake Forest to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.4 miles from Wake Forest and 75 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 1:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.76 one way or $41.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wake Forest and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wake Forest and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 125.34 mi (201.71 km).
#1 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| 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: 239 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.76 | $41.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.21 | $46.42 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.04 | $50.07 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.47 | $58.94 |
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 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.