How far is Wilmington, NC from Washington, NC?

The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Washington, NC is about 125.5 miles (202 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
125.54 mi
02h 46m
Flight
104.34 mi
167.92 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilmington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.34 mi
Kilometers
167.92 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.54 mi
Kilometers
202.03 km
Drive Time
02h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Washington
Sat, Apr 18, 7:44 AM EDT
Return by in Wilmington
Sat, Apr 18, 10:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilmington
2026-04-18T04:57
Arrive Washington
Sat, Apr 18, 7:44 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilmington
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Pumpkin Center
NC

Township in Onslow County, North Carolina

From Wilmington
62.8 mi
01h 23m
To Washington
62.7 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SW
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Washington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Washington.

  1. 1

    Start on South 3rd Street

    113 m · 14 sec · South 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South 3rd Street

    155 m · 23 sec · South 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right

    1.3 km · 1 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    4.3 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern

    1888 ft · 46 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway

    11.8 mi · 13 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Market Street

    9.1 mi · 14 min · Market Street

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    29.8 mi · 42 min

  9. 9

    Continue on South Marine Boulevard

    4 mi · 7 min · South Marine Boulevard

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Marine Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Marine Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on New Bern Highway

    28.6 mi · 35 min · New Bern Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 17 North, US 70 East: New Bern, Morehead City

    1 mi · 1 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1727 ft · 45 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    10.8 mi · 15 min

  15. 15

    Turn left

    18.7 mi · 22 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight left

    4.5 mi · 8 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 5th Street

    1950 ft · 33 sec · West 5th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Washington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Market Street
38.8 mi · 31%
New Bern Highway
28.6 mi · 23%
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
11.8 mi · 9%
US 17 North
5.88 mi · 5%
South 3rd Street
4.42 mi · 4%
South Marine Boulevard
4.04 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.2 mi
104.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pumpkin Center
01h 23m from Wilmington
Leave By
12:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Washington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Washington?

The road trip is about 125.5 miles (202 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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 62.8 miles from Wilmington and 62.7 miles from Washington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 12:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.55 one way or $35.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Washington.

Stop Ideas Near Pumpkin Center

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pumpkin Center, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pumpkin Center.

BUS

Jacksonville, NC

6 mi away
850 New Bridge Street
BUS

Havelock, NC

42 mi away
201 Tourist Center Drive
BUS

New Bern, NC

46 mi away
203 South Front Street
BUS

Kinston, NC

54 mi away
101 East New Bern Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Washington. Straight-line distance: 104.34 mi (167.92 km).

Wilmington

#1 Wilmington

The largest city in the state of North Carolina.

Population124,794
Coordinates34.2257300, -77.9447100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Washington

#2 Washington

City in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population9,487
Coordinates35.5465500, -77.0521700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Wilmington (-77.94471, 34.22573)
End: Washington (-77.05217, 35.54655)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.43 gal
16.77 L · about $17.55
Round trip
$35.09
8.86 gal · 33.54 L
Estimated CO2
39.4 kg one way
Round trip: 78.7 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.55 $35.09
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.62 $39.24
Premium $4.78 $21.17 $42.33
Diesel $5.62 $24.91 $49.83

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Wilmington and Washington. The current time is 04:57:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.