How far is Wilmington, NC from Wake Forest, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Wake Forest, NC is about 146.7 miles (236.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m 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 51m.
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 Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Wake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Wake Forest.
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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
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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5
Keep slight left
11.5 mi · 13 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
2659 ft · 57 sec
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7
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 440 West
3.1 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North, US 401 North: Wake Forest, Louisburg, Capital Blvd
1087 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Capital Boulevard
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Boulevard
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Boulevard
5.8 mi · 9 min · Capital Boulevard
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
4.5 mi · 6 min · Capital Boulevard
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14
Take the exit slight right
1563 ft · 42 sec
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15
Turn right onto Durham Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Durham Road
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16
Continue on South Avenue
801 ft · 29 sec · South Avenue
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East South Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · East South Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto East South Avenue
116 m · 13 sec · East South Avenue
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19
Continue on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Wake Forest.
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
107 mi · 01h 55m
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 Wake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Wake Forest?
The road trip is about 146.7 miles (236.1 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.4 miles from Wilmington and 73.3 miles from Wake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 12:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.52 one way or $41.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Wake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Wake Forest. Straight-line distance: 125.34 mi (201.71 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 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wake Forest (-78.50972, 35.97987)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.52 | $41.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.94 | $45.88 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.75 | $49.50 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.13 | $58.26 |
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.