How far is Wilmington, NC from Gaston, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Gaston, NC is about 181 miles (291.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.1 miles (254.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Township in Wayne County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Gaston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Gaston.
-
1
Start on South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · South 3rd Street
-
2
Keep slight right to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
-
3
Turn left onto North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
-
4
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
64.6 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Michael Jordan Highway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward NC 403: Faison
1521 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Turn right onto Faison Highway
18.4 mi · 24 min · Faison Highway
-
7
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
8
Continue straight
24.9 mi · 27 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North
1.4 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left
55.6 mi · 1 hr
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward NC 46: Gaston, Garysburg
1003 ft · 26 sec
-
12
Turn left
49 m · 4 sec
-
13
Keep slight right
849 ft · 19 sec
-
14
Continue on State Highway 46
3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 46
-
15
Turn straight
32 m · 5 sec
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Gaston.
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
64.6 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wilmington and Chance Rain Showers near Gaston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Gaston?
The road trip is about 181 miles (291.3 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
Mar-Mac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.7 miles from Wilmington and 90.4 miles from Gaston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.1 miles (254.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.31 one way or $50.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wilmington and Chance Rain Showers near Gaston.
Stop Ideas Near Mar-Mac
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 Mar-Mac.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Wilson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Gaston. Straight-line distance: 158.07 mi (254.39 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 Gaston
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,022 |
| Coordinates | 36.5004300, -77.6449800 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gaston (-77.64498, 36.50043)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.31 | $50.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.30 | $56.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.53 | $61.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.94 | $71.87 |
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.