How far is Wilmington, NC from Bethel, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Bethel, NC is about 209.9 miles (337.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 31m 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 04h 15m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Bethel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Bethel.
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1
Start on South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · South 3rd Street
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2
Keep slight right to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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3
Turn left onto North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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4
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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5
Keep slight left
33.5 mi · 38 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
8.1 mi · 11 min · Durham Freeway
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9
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West
6.5 mi · 10 min
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11
Turn right
27.3 mi · 36 min
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12
Turn right
1.5 km · 1 min
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13
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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14
Turn left onto US 158
1.6 mi · 3 min · US 158
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15
Turn right onto Foster Road
5.2 mi · 8 min · Foster Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Springs Road
1.4 mi · 5 min · Park Springs Road
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17
Continue on State Road 1300
128 m · 19 sec · State Road 1300
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Park Springs Road
2.4 mi · 6 min · Park Springs Road
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19
Turn right onto Law Road
66 m · 6 sec · Law Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Law Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Bethel.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Michael Jordan Highway
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
107 mi · 01h 55m
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 Sunny near Bethel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Bethel?
The road trip is about 209.9 miles (337.8 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Benson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105 miles from Wilmington and 104.9 miles from Bethel.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.8 miles (282.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.35 one way or $58.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Bethel.
Stop Ideas Near Benson
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 Benson.
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
Fayetteville
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Bethel. Straight-line distance: 175.79 mi (282.91 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 Bethel
Town in Pitt County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 1,614 |
| Coordinates | 36.4534700, -79.4516900 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bethel (-79.45169, 36.45347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 338 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $29.35 | $58.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $32.82 | $65.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $35.40 | $70.81 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $41.67 | $83.35 |
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 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.