How far is Wilmington, NC from Princeton, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Princeton, NC is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.6 miles (139.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m 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 02h 08m.
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.
Town in Duplin County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Princeton.
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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
72 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Suttontown Road
1568 ft · 41 sec
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6
Turn right onto Suttontown Road
2.6 mi · 6 min · Suttontown Road
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7
Turn left onto Julius Sutton Highway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Julius Sutton Highway
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8
Continue on Dobbersville Road
8.1 mi · 11 min · Dobbersville Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Stevens Mill Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Stevens Mill Road
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10
Turn right onto Richardson Bridge Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Richardson Bridge Road
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Brogden Road
2794 ft · 44 sec · Brogden Road
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12
Turn right onto Progressive Church Road
4 mi · 5 min · Progressive Church Road
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13
Continue on Holts Pond Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Holts Pond Road
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14
Continue on West 3rd Street
707 ft · 23 sec · West 3rd Street
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15
Turn left onto South Pine Street
1050 ft · 45 sec · South Pine Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Princeton.
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
72 mi · 01h 17m
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 Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Princeton?
The road trip is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?
Magnolia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.3 miles from Wilmington and 52.1 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.6 miles (139.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 2:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.58 one way or $29.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Magnolia
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 Magnolia.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 86.56 mi (139.31 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 Princeton
Town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,425 |
| Coordinates | 35.4659900, -78.1605500 |
| Altitude | 46 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-78.16055, 35.46599)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.58 | $29.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.30 | $32.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.58 | $35.17 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.70 | $41.39 |
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 · May 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.