How far is Wilmington, NC from Asheville, NC?

The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Asheville, NC is about 359.7 miles (578.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 277.9 miles (447.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
359.7 mi
05h 17m
Flight
277.86 mi
447.18 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilmington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
277.86 mi
Kilometers
447.18 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
359.7 mi
Kilometers
578.88 km
Drive Time
05h 17m

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 05h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Asheville
Sun, Apr 19, 3:29 AM EDT
Return by in Wilmington
Sun, Apr 19, 8:47 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilmington
2026-04-18T22:11
Arrive Asheville
Sun, Apr 19, 3:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:18 AM to 1:18 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:24 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilmington
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Marshville
NC

Town in Union County, North Carolina, United States

From Wilmington
160.7 mi
02h 38m
To Asheville
199 mi
02h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Asheville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Asheville.

  1. 1

    Start on South 3rd Street

    113 m · 14 sec · South 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South 3rd Street

    155 m · 23 sec · South 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right

    3.5 mi · 5 min

  4. 4

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    60.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on American Indian Highway

    33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    20.2 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on G R Kindley Freeway

    14.4 mi · 15 min · G R Kindley Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    11.6 mi · 15 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on East Caswell Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Salisbury Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street

  11. 11

    Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.3 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on East Marshville Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 5 min · East Marshville Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    2247 ft · 35 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway

    18.4 mi · 21 min · Monroe Expressway

  17. 17

    Merge slight right onto Independence Boulevard

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Independence Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on East Independence Expressway

    5.4 mi · 7 min · East Independence Expressway

  19. 19

    Continue on East Independence Boulevard

    1.1 km · 45 sec · East Independence Boulevard

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto John Belk Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · John Belk Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit straight toward NC 27: Freedom Drive

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  22. 22

    Take the ramp slight left

    1678 ft · 41 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    24.1 mi · 30 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby

    3242 ft · 50 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  26. 26

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  27. 27

    Continue on East Dixon Boulevard

    12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard

  28. 28

    Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard

    15.7 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard

  29. 29

    Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

    18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

    37.8 mi · 46 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  31. 31

    Take the exit slight right toward Westgate

    920 ft · 16 sec

  32. 32

    Turn straight onto Patton Avenue

    821 ft · 14 sec · Patton Avenue

  33. 33

    Take the ramp straight toward Westgate

    48 m · 3 sec

  34. 34

    Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25

    693 ft · 17 sec

  36. 36

    Turn slight right

    42 m · 4 sec

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Merrimon Avenue

    534 ft · 27 sec · Merrimon Avenue

  38. 38

    Turn left onto Marcellus Street

    40 m · 8 sec · Marcellus Street

  39. 39

    Turn right

    14 m · 3 sec

  40. 40

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Asheville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
40 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
131 mi · 37%
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 9%
NC 27
26.9 mi · 7%
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi · 5%
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 5%
West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

60.1 mi · 01h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+81.8 mi
277.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshville
02h 38m from Wilmington
Leave By
6:24 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Asheville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Asheville?

The road trip is about 359.7 miles (578.9 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?

Marshville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.7 miles from Wilmington and 199 miles from Asheville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 277.9 miles (447.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 81.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:24 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.27 one way or $100.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Asheville.

Stop Ideas Near Marshville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marshville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marshville.

RAIL

Charlotte

50 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Kannapolis

62 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Hamlet

62 mi away
West Main St. and North Bridges St.
RAIL

Salisbury

77 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Asheville. Straight-line distance: 277.86 mi (447.18 km).

Wilmington

#1 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

Population124,794
Coordinates34.2257300, -77.9447100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Asheville

#2 Asheville

The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Population92,852
Coordinates35.6009500, -82.5540200
Altitude649
CountryUnited States
Start: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)
End: (-82.554029, 35.600953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 579 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.69 gal
48.05 L · about $50.27
Round trip
$100.53
25.38 gal · 96.1 L
Estimated CO2
112.8 kg one way
Round trip: 225.6 kg / 497 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $50.27 $100.53
Mid-grade $4.43 $56.20 $112.41
Premium $4.78 $60.63 $121.27
Diesel $5.62 $71.37 $142.74

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Wilmington and Asheville. The current time is 22:11:58.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.