How far is Wilmington, NC from Welcome, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Welcome, NC is about 216.4 miles (348.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 41m 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 04h 20m.
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.
City in and county seat of Scotland County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Welcome.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Welcome.
-
1
Start on South 3rd Street
113 m · 14 sec · South 3rd Street
-
2
Continue on South 3rd Street
155 m · 23 sec · South 3rd Street
-
3
Turn right
3.5 mi · 5 min
-
4
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
5
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
-
6
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
20.2 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on G R Kindley Freeway
10.5 mi · 11 min · G R Kindley Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Rockingham
1626 ft · 41 sec
-
9
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
10
Turn straight
4.4 mi · 6 min
-
11
Continue straight
2369 ft · 37 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
48 mi · 53 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Lexington
1043 ft · 26 sec
-
14
Keep slight left
1687 ft · 41 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Lexington
1265 ft · 42 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto Asheboro Bypass
28.1 mi · 38 min · Asheboro Bypass
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward NC 8: Winston-Salem, Lexington
1272 ft · 33 sec
-
18
Turn right onto Winston Road
1 km · 1 min · Winston Road
-
19
Continue on Old US Hwy 52
1.9 mi · 3 min · Old US Hwy 52
-
20
Continue on Old US Highway 52
2.4 mi · 4 min · Old US Highway 52
-
21
Turn right
21 m · 7 sec
-
22
Turn right
33 m · 8 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Welcome.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Welcome.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Welcome?
The road trip is about 216.4 miles (348.2 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?
Laurinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.2 miles from Wilmington and 108.2 miles from Welcome.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.7 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 8:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.22 one way or $60.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmington and Mostly Sunny near Welcome.
Stop Ideas Near Laurinburg
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 Laurinburg.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Welcome. Straight-line distance: 174.72 mi (281.18 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 Welcome
Census designated place
| Population | 4,162 |
| Coordinates | 35.9029200, -80.2569900 |
| Altitude | 264 |
| Country | United States |
End: Welcome (-80.25699, 35.90292)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 348 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.22 | $60.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.79 | $67.59 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.46 | $72.91 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.91 | $85.82 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.