How far is Wilmington, NC from Southern Shores, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Southern Shores, NC is about 245.8 miles (395.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.9 miles (292.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 05m 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 32m.
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 Beaufort County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Southern Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Southern Shores.
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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
28.9 mi · 35 min
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16
Turn right
16.9 mi · 24 min
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17
Turn right
14 mi · 21 min
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18
Continue on United States Highway 64 East
39.5 mi · 47 min · United States Highway 64 East
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19
Keep slight right
26.2 mi · 36 min
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20
Continue on South Virginia Dare Trail
157 m · 11 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
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21
Continue on South Croatan Highway
14.9 mi · 24 min · South Croatan Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right
82 m · 8 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Ocean Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Ocean Boulevard
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24
Turn straight onto Duck Road
1.5 mi · 5 min · Duck Road
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25
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
1195 ft · 58 sec · 3rd Avenue
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26
Continue on 3rd Avenue
78 m · 16 sec · 3rd Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Southern Shores.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
United States Highway 64 East
Continue on United States Highway 64 East
39.5 mi · 00h 47m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Southern Shores.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Southern Shores?
The road trip is about 245.8 miles (395.6 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?
Chocowinity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.9 miles from Wilmington and 122.9 miles from Southern Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.9 miles (292.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.9 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 5:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.34 one way or $68.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wilmington and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Southern Shores.
Stop Ideas Near Chocowinity
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 Chocowinity.
Greenville, NC
New Bern, NC
Kinston, NC
Havelock, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Southern Shores. Straight-line distance: 181.91 mi (292.76 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 Southern Shores
Town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 2,997 |
| Coordinates | 36.1390500, -75.7315700 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southern Shores (-75.73157, 36.13905)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.34 | $68.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.40 | $76.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.43 | $82.85 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.76 | $97.52 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.