How far is Wilmington, NC from Sparta, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Sparta, NC is about 298.4 miles (480.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.4 miles (383.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Human settlement in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Sparta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Sparta.
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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
10.5 mi · 11 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Rockingham
1626 ft · 41 sec
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9
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Turn straight
4.4 mi · 6 min
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11
Continue straight
2369 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
57.8 mi · 1 hr 5 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
31.3 mi · 36 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
1 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
1087 ft · 27 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 421 North: Yadkinville
3269 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight right
27.5 mi · 32 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 77 North: Elkin
2123 ft · 52 sec
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20
Merge slight left
9.7 mi · 10 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap
27.2 mi · 40 min
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22
Turn left onto South Sparta Parkway
1.5 km · 2 min · South Sparta Parkway
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23
Turn right onto West Whitehead Street
1341 ft · 27 sec · West Whitehead Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Whitehead Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Sparta.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sparta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Sparta?
The road trip is about 298.4 miles (480.2 km) and usually takes 05h 56m 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?
Norman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.2 miles from Wilmington and 149.3 miles from Sparta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.4 miles (383.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 60 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 5:06 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.71 one way or $83.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.6 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 Sparta.
Stop Ideas Near Norman
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 Norman.
Southern Pines
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 238.38 mi (383.63 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 Sparta
Human settlement in Alleghany County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,723 |
| Coordinates | 36.5054100, -81.1209200 |
| Altitude | 893 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sparta (-81.12092, 36.50541)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 480 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $41.71 | $83.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $46.64 | $93.27 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $50.31 | $100.62 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $59.22 | $118.44 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.