How far is Wilmington, NC from Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Salem, NC is about 269.9 miles (434.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.6 miles (379.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m 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 05h 38m.
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 Richmond County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Salem.
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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
3.5 mi · 5 min
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4
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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5
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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6
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
20.2 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi · 15 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
11.6 mi · 15 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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9
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street
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10
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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11
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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13
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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14
Continue on East Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · East Marshville Boulevard
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15
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2247 ft · 35 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi · 21 min · Monroe Expressway
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17
Merge slight right onto Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi · 10 min · Independence Boulevard
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18
Continue on East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Independence Expressway
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19
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
128 m · 5 sec · East Independence Boulevard
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 277 North Outer, NC 16 North: Brookshire Freeway
2069 ft · 50 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Brookshire Freeway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Brookshire Freeway
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22
Continue on Brookshire Boulevard
33.5 mi · 44 min · Brookshire Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto Bethany Church Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Bethany Church Road
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24
Turn left onto Mount Olive Church Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Mount Olive Church Road
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25
Continue on Mt Olive Church Road
1 km · 1 min · Mt Olive Church Road
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26
Turn right
2.4 mi · 4 min
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27
Turn left onto Conover Boulevard East
1.9 mi · 3 min · Conover Boulevard East
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28
Take the ramp slight right
1193 ft · 29 sec
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29
Merge slight left
25.7 mi · 30 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Enola Road
1733 ft · 44 sec
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31
Turn left onto Enola Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Enola Road
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32
Turn sharp right onto Pete Brittain Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Pete Brittain Road
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pete Brittain Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wilmington and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Salem?
The road trip is about 269.9 miles (434.3 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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?
Cordova is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.8 miles from Wilmington and 135 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 235.6 miles (379.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 5:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.71 one way or $75.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wilmington and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Cordova
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 Cordova.
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Dillon
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Salem. Straight-line distance: 235.57 mi (379.11 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 Salem
Township in Burke County, North Carolina
| Population | 2,218 |
| Coordinates | 35.6987400, -81.6970400 |
| Altitude | 371 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-81.69704, 35.69874)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 434 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $37.71 | $75.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.16 | $84.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $45.49 | $90.97 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $53.54 | $107.08 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.