How far is Wilmington, NC from River Road, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to River Road, NC is about 130.2 miles (209.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.7 miles (166.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Onslow County, North Carolina
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 River Road.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and River Road.
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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
1.3 km · 1 min
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4
Take the exit slight right
4.3 mi · 6 min
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5
Take the exit right toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
1888 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
11.8 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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7
Continue on Market Street
9.1 mi · 14 min · Market Street
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8
Continue straight
29.8 mi · 42 min
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9
Continue on South Marine Boulevard
4 mi · 7 min · South Marine Boulevard
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10
Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · North Marine Boulevard
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11
Continue on New Bern Highway
28.6 mi · 35 min · New Bern Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 North, US 70 East: New Bern, Morehead City
1 mi · 1 min
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13
Take the exit slight right
1727 ft · 45 sec
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14
Turn left
10.8 mi · 15 min
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15
Turn left
18.7 mi · 22 min
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16
Take the exit slight left
4.4 mi · 7 min
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17
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West 3rd Street
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18
Continue on Park Drive
2677 ft · 1 min · Park Drive
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19
Continue on Captain Patrick "Oly" Olsen Memorial Bridge
139 m · 11 sec · Captain Patrick "Oly" Olsen Memorial Bridge
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20
Continue on River Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · River Road
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21
Turn left onto Ross Road
78 m · 11 sec · Ross Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ross Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and River Road.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Market Street
Continue straight
29.8 mi · 00h 42m
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 River Road.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to River Road?
The road trip is about 130.2 miles (209.5 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Pumpkin Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.1 miles from Wilmington and 65.1 miles from River Road.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.7 miles (166.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 12:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.18 one way or $36.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near River Road.
Stop Ideas Near Pumpkin Center
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 Pumpkin Center.
Jacksonville, NC
Havelock, NC
New Bern, NC
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and River Road. Straight-line distance: 103.73 mi (166.93 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 River Road
Township in Beaufort County, North Carolina
| Population | 4,394 |
| Coordinates | 35.5068300, -76.9907800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Road (-76.99078, 35.50683)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.18 | $36.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.33 | $40.66 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $21.93 | $43.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $25.81 | $51.63 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.