How far is Wilmington, NC from Orange County, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Orange County, NC is about 169.6 miles (273 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.2 miles (230.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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 11m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Orange County.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Orange County.
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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
52 mi · 1 hr
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Hillsborough
1956 ft · 30 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Old NC 86
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old NC 86
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8
Continue on South Churton Street
1723 ft · 54 sec · South Churton Street
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9
Take the ramp left toward I 85 South, NC 86 North: Greensboro
1169 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 50 sec
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Orange County.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Orange County.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Orange County?
The road trip is about 169.6 miles (273 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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 84.9 miles from Wilmington and 84.8 miles from Orange County.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.2 miles (230.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 10:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.44 one way or $46.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Orange County.
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 Orange County. Straight-line distance: 143.17 mi (230.41 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 Orange County
County in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 149,077 |
| Coordinates | 36.0613000, -79.1206000 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Orange County (-79.1206, 36.0613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $23.44 | $46.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $25.89 | $51.78 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $28.28 | $56.57 |
| Diesel | $5.84 | $34.99 | $69.99 |
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 · Oct 13, 2026