How far is Wilmington, NC from Carolina Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is about 14.4 miles (23.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in New Hanover County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Carolina Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Carolina Beach.
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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
1.2 km · 2 min · South 3rd Street
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3
Turn straight onto Burnett Boulevard
1633 ft · 42 sec · Burnett Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
5.8 mi · 11 min · Carolina Beach Road
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5
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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6
Continue on North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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7
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Carolina Beach.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Carolina Beach Road
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.12 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wilmington and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Carolina Beach?
The road trip is about 14.4 miles (23.2 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Myrtle Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.2 miles from Wilmington and 7.2 miles from Carolina Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.02 one way or $4.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wilmington and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Myrtle Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Founders Park
Kure Beach Community Center
Lanier Parking
Leland Police-Animal Control
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Myrtle Grove.
Wilmington, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Carolina Beach. Straight-line distance: 13.49 mi (21.71 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 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Beach (-77.8936, 34.03517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 23 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.02 | $4.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.26 | $4.52 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.44 | $4.87 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $2.87 | $5.74 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.