How far is Wilmington, NC from Norlina, NC?

The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Norlina, NC is about 185.7 miles (298.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154 miles (247.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
185.67 mi
03h 41m
Flight
154.05 mi
247.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilmington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.05 mi
Kilometers
247.92 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.67 mi
Kilometers
298.8 km
Drive Time
03h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norlina
Sun, Apr 19, 1:11 AM EDT
Return by in Wilmington
Sun, Apr 19, 4:52 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilmington
2026-04-18T21:29
Arrive Norlina
Sun, Apr 19, 1:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:38 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilmington
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Newton Grove
NC

Township in Sampson County, North Carolina

From Wilmington
93 mi
01h 50m
To Norlina
92.7 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SW
Destination
91°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Norlina.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Norlina.

  1. 1

    Start on South 3rd Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · South 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North College Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Michael Jordan Highway

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    11.5 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount

    2659 ft · 57 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    2.1 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 440 West

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North, US 401 North: Wake Forest, Louisburg, Capital Blvd

    1087 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Capital Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Capital Boulevard

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Boulevard

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Boulevard

    5.8 mi · 9 min · Capital Boulevard

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard

    34.8 mi · 47 min · Capital Boulevard

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 158: Norlina

    1002 ft · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    8.6 mi · 11 min

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Norlina.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Michael Jordan Highway
119 mi · 64%
Capital Boulevard
44.6 mi · 24%
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.74 mi · 3%
I 440 West
3.14 mi · 2%
I 87 North
2.63 mi · 1%
South 3rd Street
1.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.7 mi
154 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newton Grove
01h 50m from Wilmington
Leave By
9:38 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Norlina.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Norlina?

The road trip is about 185.7 miles (298.8 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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 93 miles from Wilmington and 92.7 miles from Norlina.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 154 miles (247.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Norlina.

Stop Ideas Near Newton Grove

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Newton Grove, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Newton Grove.

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

33 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
BUS

Goldsboro, NC

38 mi away
1615 East Beech Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

53 mi away
472 Hay Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

64 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Norlina. Straight-line distance: 154.05 mi (247.92 km).

Wilmington

#1 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

Population124,794
Coordinates34.2257300, -77.9447100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Norlina

#2 Norlina

City in Warren County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,040
Coordinates36.4457000, -78.1983300
Altitude129
CountryUnited States
Start: Wilmington (-77.94471, 34.22573)
End: Norlina (-78.19833, 36.4457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 299 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.55 gal
24.8 L · about $25.94
Round trip
$51.89
13.1 gal · 49.6 L
Estimated CO2
58.2 kg one way
Round trip: 116.4 kg / 257 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.94 $51.89
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.01 $58.02
Premium $4.78 $31.30 $62.59
Diesel $5.62 $36.84 $73.67

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

There is no time difference between Wilmington and Norlina. The current time is 21:29:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.