How far is Wilmington, NC from Cape Carteret, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Cape Carteret, NC is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.7 miles (96 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 54m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Onslow County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Wilmington and Cape Carteret.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Cape Carteret.
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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
2317 ft · 1 min · WB McLean Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · WB McLean Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Cape Carteret.
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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Cape Carteret.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Cape Carteret?
The road trip is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km) and usually takes 01h 54m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Holly Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.2 miles from Wilmington and 40.2 miles from Cape Carteret.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.7 miles (96 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.25 one way or $22.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Cape Carteret.
Stop Ideas Near Holly Ridge
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 Holly Ridge.
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Havelock, NC
Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Cape Carteret. Straight-line distance: 59.66 mi (96.01 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 Cape Carteret
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 2,061 |
| Coordinates | 34.6915500, -77.0630000 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cape Carteret (-77.063, 34.69155)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.25 | $22.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.58 | $25.16 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.57 | $27.14 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.97 | $31.94 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.