How far is Wilmington, NC from Elon, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Elon, NC is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.8 miles (252.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m 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 03h 40m.
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 Elon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Elon.
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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
69.5 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
1360 ft · 37 sec
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7
Turn right onto East Harden Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Harden Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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10
Take the exit straight
5 mi · 7 min
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11
Turn left onto East Haggard Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · East Haggard Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Haggard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Elon.
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 Elon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Elon?
The road trip is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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 96.6 miles from Wilmington and 96.5 miles from Elon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.8 miles (252.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 9:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.97 one way or $53.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Elon.
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 Elon. Straight-line distance: 156.86 mi (252.44 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 Elon
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 12,186 |
| Coordinates | 36.1029100, -79.5066900 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elon (-79.50669, 36.10291)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.97 | $53.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.16 | $60.32 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $32.54 | $65.08 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $38.30 | $76.60 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.