How far is Wilmington, NC from Kannapolis, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Kannapolis, NC is about 202.1 miles (325.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175 miles (281.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 04h 15m.
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.
Human settlement in Scotland County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Kannapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Kannapolis.
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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
3.5 mi · 5 min
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4
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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5
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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6
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
20.2 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi · 15 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
11.6 mi · 15 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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9
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street
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10
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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11
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
1912 ft · 25 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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12
Turn right
1723 ft · 37 sec
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13
Continue straight
24.9 mi · 35 min
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14
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 3 min
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15
Turn left
8.7 mi · 13 min
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16
Turn right
9.6 mi · 11 min
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17
Take the exit straight toward Union Street South
3159 ft · 58 sec · Union Street South
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18
Continue on Branchview Drive Southeast
3 mi · 4 min · Branchview Drive Southeast
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19
Continue on Branchview Drive Northeast
2.6 mi · 4 min · Branchview Drive Northeast
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20
Continue on Concord Lake Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Concord Lake Road
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21
Turn left onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
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22
Turn left onto Ford Street
134 m · 21 sec · Ford Street
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23
Turn right onto Cadillac Street
707 ft · 31 sec · Cadillac Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Kannapolis.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 01h 14m
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 Mostly Clear near Kannapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Kannapolis?
The road trip is about 202.1 miles (325.2 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
East Laurinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101 miles from Wilmington and 101.1 miles from Kannapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175 miles (281.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 8:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.24 one way or $56.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Mostly Clear near Kannapolis.
Stop Ideas Near East Laurinburg
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 East Laurinburg.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Kannapolis. Straight-line distance: 175.02 mi (281.67 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 Kannapolis
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
| Population | 52,007 |
| Coordinates | 35.4873600, -80.6217300 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kannapolis (-80.62173, 35.48736)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.24 | $56.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.58 | $63.16 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $34.07 | $68.13 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $40.10 | $80.20 |
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.