How far is Wilmington, NC from Atlantic, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Atlantic, NC is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102 miles (164.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 17m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Atlantic.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Atlantic.
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1
Start on South 3rd Street
113 m · 14 sec · South 3rd Street
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2
Continue on South 3rd Street
155 m · 23 sec · South 3rd Street
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3
Turn right
1.3 km · 1 min
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4
Take the exit slight right
4.3 mi · 6 min
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5
Take the exit right toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
1888 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
11.8 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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7
Continue on Market Street
9.1 mi · 14 min · Market Street
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8
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 40 min
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9
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · KIA/MIA/POW Freeway
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11
Continue on Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
1856 ft · 29 sec · Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
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12
Continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
1 km · 49 sec · Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
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14
Merge slight left onto Lejeune Boulevard
5.2 mi · 8 min · Lejeune Boulevard
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15
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi · 12 min · Freedom Way
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16
Continue on West Corbett Avenue
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Corbett Avenue
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17
Continue on Cedar Point Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Cedar Point Boulevard
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18
Continue on WB McLean Drive
16.2 mi · 24 min · WB McLean Drive
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Arendell Street
5.2 mi · 8 min · Arendell Street
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20
Continue on Arendell Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · Arendell Street
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21
Continue on Grayden Paul Bridge
5.3 mi · 8 min · Grayden Paul Bridge
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22
Turn right
6.4 mi · 9 min
-
23
Turn left
6.2 mi · 10 min
-
24
Turn sharp left
8.2 mi · 12 min
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25
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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26
Turn right onto Old Cedar Island Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Old Cedar Island Road
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27
Turn right onto Shell Road
2409 ft · 1 min · Shell Road
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28
Turn left onto Salter Drive
11 m · 1 sec · Salter Drive
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Salter Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Atlantic.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Market Street
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Sunny leaving Wilmington and Mostly Cloudy near Atlantic.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Atlantic?
The road trip is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Piney Green is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.7 miles from Wilmington and 67.9 miles from Atlantic.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102 miles (164.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.86 one way or $31.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Mostly Cloudy near Atlantic.
Stop Ideas Near Piney Green
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 Piney Green.
Jacksonville, NC
Havelock, NC
New Bern, NC
Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Atlantic. Straight-line distance: 102.02 mi (164.18 km).
#1 Wilmington
The largest city in the state of North Carolina.
| Population | 124,794 |
| Coordinates | 34.2257300, -77.9447100 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Atlantic
Atlantic is a place in North Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.8848900, -76.3404700 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Atlantic (-76.34047, 34.88489)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.32 | $15.86 | $31.71 |
| Mid-grade | $3.77 | $18.03 | $36.05 |
| Premium | $4.20 | $20.09 | $40.18 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $26.12 | $52.25 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026