How far is Welcome, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Welcome, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 57m 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 28m.
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.
City in and county seat of Scotland 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 Welcome and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Welcome and Wilmington.
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1
Start on the route
33 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
21 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn left onto Old US Highway 52
2 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 52
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4
Continue on Old US Hwy 52
2.2 mi · 3 min · Old US Hwy 52
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5
Continue on Winston Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Winston Road
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East
617 ft · 15 sec
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7
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 East: Asheboro
27.1 mi · 36 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
1.1 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
47.2 mi · 52 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 220 South: Rockingham
4.8 mi · 7 min
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12
Turn left onto West Broad Avenue
2.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Avenue
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13
Continue on Hamlet Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hamlet Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Raleigh Street
142 m · 12 sec · Raleigh Street
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15
Turn right onto Spring Street
1716 ft · 41 sec · Spring Street
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16
Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue
12.8 mi · 17 min · East Hamlet Avenue
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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18
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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19
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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20
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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21
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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22
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 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 Welcome 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Welcome 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 Welcome to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Laurinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.3 miles from Welcome and 110.3 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42 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 10:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.30 one way or $60.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Welcome and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Laurinburg
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 Laurinburg.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Welcome and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 174.72 mi (281.18 km).
#1 Welcome
Census designated place
| Population | 4,162 |
| Coordinates | 35.9029200, -80.2569900 |
| Altitude | 264 |
| 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: 349 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.30 | $60.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.88 | $67.76 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.55 | $73.10 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.02 | $86.05 |
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.