How far is Wilmington, NC from Kinston, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Kinston, NC is about 87.3 miles (140.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.6 miles (120 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 51m 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 01h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Place in North Carolina, United States of America
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 Kinston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Kinston.
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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
34.8 mi · 37 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward NC 41: Wallace, Beulaville
1565 ft · 40 sec
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6
Turn right
17.7 mi · 25 min
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7
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 13 min
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8
Turn right onto North Kinston Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · North Kinston Boulevard
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9
Continue on NC 11
12.3 mi · 17 min · NC 11
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10
Continue on Old Pink Hill Road
4.4 mi · 7 min · Old Pink Hill Road
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11
Turn left onto South Herritage Street
1290 ft · 50 sec · South Herritage Street
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12
Turn right onto West North Street
75 m · 16 sec · West North Street
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13
Turn left onto Walls Street
51 m · 9 sec · Walls Street
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14
Turn right
31 m · 8 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Kinston.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Michael Jordan Highway
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
34.8 mi · 00h 37m
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 Kinston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Kinston?
The road trip is about 87.3 miles (140.5 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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?
Wallace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.7 miles from Wilmington and 43.6 miles from Kinston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.6 miles (120 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 2:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.20 one way or $24.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Kinston.
Stop Ideas Near Wallace
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 Wallace.
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Kinston, NC
Goldsboro, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Kinston. Straight-line distance: 74.55 mi (119.98 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 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kinston (-77.58164, 35.26266)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.20 | $24.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.64 | $27.28 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $14.72 | $29.43 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.32 | $34.64 |
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.