How far is Wilmington, NC from Pilot Mountain, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Pilot Mountain, NC is about 257.7 miles (414.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 206.3 miles (332 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 49m 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 54m.
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.
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Pilot Mountain.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Pilot Mountain.
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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
86.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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6
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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7
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Salem Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 74 West
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Continue on Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on US 52 North: Mount Airy
1.8 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway
14.8 mi · 17 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward NC 268: Pilot Mountain, Elkin
952 ft · 23 sec
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Key Street
6 m · 1 sec · South Key Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto South Key Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Key Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Key Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Pilot Mountain.
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.
Sunny leaving Wilmington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pilot Mountain.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Pilot Mountain?
The road trip is about 257.7 miles (414.7 km) and usually takes 04h 54m 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?
Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.9 miles from Wilmington and 128.9 miles from Pilot Mountain.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 206.3 miles (332 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.4 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 7:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.01 one way or $72.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pilot Mountain.
Stop Ideas Near Raleigh
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Raleigh.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Pilot Mountain. Straight-line distance: 206.28 mi (331.97 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 Pilot Mountain
City in Piedmont Triad, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,408 |
| Coordinates | 36.3865300, -80.4695000 |
| Altitude | 352 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pilot Mountain (-80.4695, 36.38653)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 415 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $36.01 | $72.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $40.26 | $80.52 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.43 | $86.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $51.12 | $102.24 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.