How far is Wilmington, NC from Dobson, NC?

The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Dobson, NC is about 275.2 miles (442.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 216.8 miles (348.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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
275.22 mi
05h 16m
Flight
216.8 mi
348.9 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
216.8 mi
Kilometers
348.9 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
275.22 mi
Kilometers
442.93 km
Drive Time
05h 16m

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 05h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dobson
Thu, Apr 23, 12:30 PM EDT
Return by in Wilmington
Thu, Apr 23, 5:47 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilmington
2026-04-23T07:14
Arrive Dobson
Thu, Apr 23, 12:30 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:17 AM to 1:17 PM EDT

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

Leave by
6:26 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Cary
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Wilmington
137.6 mi
02h 38m
To Dobson
137.6 mi
02h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Dobson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 3rd Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · South 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North College Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Michael Jordan Highway

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    86.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Salem Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 74 West

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Winston-Salem Northern Beltway

    11.1 mi · 13 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 52 North: Mount Airy

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway

    20.9 mi · 24 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West: Wytheville

    5.5 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 601: Mount Airy, Dobson

    1199 ft · 31 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Rockford Street

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Rockford Street

  16. 16

    Turn right

    2.4 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Dobson.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Michael Jordan Highway
214 mi · 78%
John Gold Memorial Expressway
20.9 mi · 8%
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
11.1 mi · 4%
Salem Parkway
6.54 mi · 2%
I 74 West
5.49 mi · 2%
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.74 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+58.4 mi
216.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cary
02h 38m from Wilmington
Leave By
6:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Dobson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 275.2 miles (442.9 km) and usually takes 05h 16m 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?

Cary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.6 miles from Wilmington and 137.6 miles from Dobson.

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

The direct path is about 216.8 miles (348.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.4 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 6:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.46 one way or $76.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Cary

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Cary and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 14.2 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 9.3 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 5.1 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 2.1 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cary.

RAIL

Cary

211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

12 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

26 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Dobson. Straight-line distance: 216.8 mi (348.9 km).

Wilmington

#1 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

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

#2 Dobson

Human settlement in Surry County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,534
Coordinates36.3956900, -80.7225700
Altitude383
CountryUnited States
Start: Wilmington (-77.94471, 34.22573)
End: Dobson (-80.72257, 36.39569)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 443 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.71 gal
36.76 L · about $38.46
Round trip
$76.92
19.42 gal · 73.52 L
Estimated CO2
86.3 kg one way
Round trip: 172.6 kg / 381 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $38.46 $76.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $43.01 $86.01
Premium $4.78 $46.39 $92.79
Diesel $5.62 $54.61 $109.22

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Wilmington and Dobson. The current time is 07:14:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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