How far is Wilmington, NC from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Lake Norman of Catawba, NC is about 228.3 miles (367.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195 miles (313.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 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 45m.
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.
Town in North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Lake Norman of Catawba.
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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
6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
2972 ft · 50 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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13
Turn right onto Williams Street
1322 ft · 31 sec · Williams Street
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14
Turn left onto Polk Street
13.4 mi · 20 min · Polk Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
32 m · 3 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
4.2 mi · 6 min
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
69 m · 5 sec
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18
Exit the roundabout
2.8 mi · 4 min
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19
At the end of the road, turn straight
25 m · 3 sec
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20
Turn slight left
6.7 mi · 9 min
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
40 m · 3 sec
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22
Exit the roundabout
3.1 mi · 4 min
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23
Take the ramp right toward I 485 North Outer
2127 ft · 52 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway
13.1 mi · 14 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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25
Continue on H Allen Tate Jr Highway
5.6 mi · 6 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 77: Statesville, Charlotte
1671 ft · 41 sec
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27
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 2 min
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28
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North: Statesville
1.1 km · 1 min
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29
Merge slight left onto I-77 North
1109 ft · 15 sec · I-77 North
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30
Continue on I 77 North
1.4 mi · 2 min · I 77 North
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31
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North
2.7 mi · 3 min · I 77 North
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32
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North
2 mi · 2 min · I 77 North
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33
Continue on I-77 North
2.6 mi · 3 min · I-77 North
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34
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
6.7 mi · 8 min · I-77 North
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35
Take the exit slight right toward NC 150: Mooresville, Lincolnton
1217 ft · 30 sec
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36
Keep slight left to continue on NC 150 West: Lake Norman Airport, Lincolnton
54 m · 11 sec
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37
Turn left onto River Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · River Highway
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38
Turn left onto Kiser Island Road
2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road
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39
Turn left onto Riverwood Road
962 ft · 42 sec · Riverwood Road
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Riverwood Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Lake Norman of Catawba.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Wilmington and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Lake Norman of Catawba?
The road trip is about 228.3 miles (367.4 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Gibson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.1 miles from Wilmington and 114.2 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195 miles (313.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 7:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.89 one way or $63.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Wilmington and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Stop Ideas Near Gibson
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 Gibson.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Lake Norman of Catawba. Straight-line distance: 194.99 mi (313.8 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 Lake Norman of Catawba
Township in Catawba County, North Carolina
| Population | 5,075 |
| Coordinates | 35.5868000, -80.9595200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Norman of Catawba (-80.95952, 35.5868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 367 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.89 | $63.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.65 | $71.31 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.46 | $76.93 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $45.27 | $90.55 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.