How far is Wilmington, NC from Clinton, NC?

The estimated driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Clinton, NC is about 221.7 miles (356.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.3 miles (285.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
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
221.71 mi
03h 53m · estimated
Flight
177.36 mi
285.44 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
177.36 mi
Kilometers
285.44 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
221.71 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
356.8 km
Drive Time
03h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clinton
Sat, Apr 11, 1:06 AM EDT
Return by in Wilmington
Sat, Apr 11, 4:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilmington
2026-04-10T21:13
Arrive Clinton
Sat, Apr 11, 1:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM EDT

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

Leave by
9:14 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
Raeford
NC

City in North Carolina

From Wilmington
88.7 mi
01h 56m
To Clinton
133 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph NE
Destination
76°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph SW

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

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
03h 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.4 mi
177.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Raeford
01h 56m from Wilmington
Leave By
9:14 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Clinton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 221.7 miles (356.8 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?

Raeford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.7 miles from Wilmington and 133 miles from Clinton.

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

The direct path is about 177.3 miles (285.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.4 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 9:14 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.98 one way or $61.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Clinton.

Stop Ideas Near Raeford

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Raeford, 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 Raeford.

RAIL

Southern Pines

26 mi away
235 Northwest Broad Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

32 mi away
472 Hay Street
RAIL

Hamlet

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

Dillon

64 mi away
100 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Clinton. Straight-line distance: 177.36 mi (285.44 km).

Wilmington

#1 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

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

#2 Clinton

City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States

Population8,332
Coordinates35.7568100, -80.4600600
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Wilmington (-77.94471, 34.22573)
End: Clinton (-80.46006, 35.75681)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 357 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.82 gal
29.61 L · about $30.98
Round trip
$61.95
15.64 gal · 59.22 L
Estimated CO2
69.5 kg one way
Round trip: 139 kg / 306 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $30.98 $61.95
Mid-grade $4.43 $34.63 $69.27
Premium $4.78 $37.36 $74.73
Diesel $5.62 $43.98 $87.96

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Wilmington and Clinton. The current time is 21:13:30.

Distance to Other Cities

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