How far is Waxhaw, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Waxhaw, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 185.9 miles (299.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.3 miles (267.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 14m 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 07m.
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.
City in North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waxhaw and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waxhaw and Wilmington.
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1
Start on East South Main Street
2495 ft · 42 sec · East South Main Street
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2
Continue on Waxhaw Highway
6.6 mi · 10 min · Waxhaw Highway
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Waxhaw Highway
61 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Highway
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Highway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Highway
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5
Continue on West Franklin Street
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Franklin Street
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6
Turn right onto East Roosevelt Boulevard
1.8 mi · 2 min · East Roosevelt Boulevard
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7
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
5.3 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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8
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
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9
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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10
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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12
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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13
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
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14
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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16
Continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi · 16 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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17
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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19
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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20
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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21
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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22
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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23
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waxhaw 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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waxhaw and Chance Rain Showers then 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 Waxhaw to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 185.9 miles (299.2 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Maxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.8 miles from Waxhaw and 93.1 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.3 miles (267.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 10:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.98 one way or $51.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waxhaw and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Maxton
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 Maxton.
Dillon
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waxhaw and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 166.37 mi (267.75 km).
#1 Waxhaw
Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 17,987 |
| Coordinates | 34.9245900, -80.7434000 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.98 | $51.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.05 | $58.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.34 | $62.69 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.89 | $73.79 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.