How far is Wilmington, NC from Emerald Isle, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Emerald Isle, NC is about 88.3 miles (142.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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 02h 07m.
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.
Township in Onslow County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Emerald Isle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Emerald Isle.
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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
Turn right
2.4 mi · 4 min
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Emerald Drive
29 m · 2 sec · Emerald Drive
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20
Exit the rotary onto Emerald Drive
5.9 mi · 10 min · Emerald Drive
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Emerald Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Emerald Isle.
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.
Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Emerald Isle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Emerald Isle?
The road trip is about 88.3 miles (142.1 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Sneads Ferry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.1 miles from Wilmington and 44.2 miles from Emerald Isle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 2:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.36 one way or $24.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Emerald Isle.
Stop Ideas Near Sneads Ferry
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 Sneads Ferry.
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Havelock, NC
Morehead City, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Emerald Isle. Straight-line distance: 64.68 mi (104.09 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 Emerald Isle
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,676 |
| Coordinates | 34.6779400, -76.9507800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emerald Isle (-76.95078, 34.67794)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.36 | $24.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $14.91 | $29.81 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.55 | $35.09 |
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.