How far is Wilmington, NC from Henderson, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Henderson, NC is about 172.1 miles (277 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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 25m.
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 Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Henderson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Henderson.
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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
11.5 mi · 13 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
2659 ft · 57 sec
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7
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 440 West
3.1 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North, US 401 North: Wake Forest, Louisburg, Capital Blvd
1087 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Capital Boulevard
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Boulevard
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Boulevard
5.8 mi · 9 min · Capital Boulevard
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
30.6 mi · 42 min · Capital Boulevard
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 39: Henderson
617 ft · 23 sec
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15
Turn left onto East Andrews Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · East Andrews Avenue
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16
Turn right onto North Garnett Street
6 m · 1 sec · North Garnett Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Garnett Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Henderson.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Henderson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Henderson?
The road trip is about 172.1 miles (277 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Newton Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Wilmington and 85.9 miles from Henderson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.5 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 10:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.04 one way or $48.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Henderson.
Stop Ideas Near Newton Grove
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 Newton Grove.
Selma–Smithfield
Goldsboro, NC
Fayetteville
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Henderson. Straight-line distance: 147.61 mi (237.55 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 Henderson
City in Vance County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 15,109 |
| Coordinates | 36.3295900, -78.3991600 |
| Altitude | 154 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henderson (-78.39916, 36.32959)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.