How far is Wilmington, NC from Wendell, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Wendell, NC is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.1 miles (177.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m 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 40m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
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 Wendell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Wendell.
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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 right to continue on NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
1 mi · 1 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NC 42: Clayton, Fuquay-Varina
1042 ft · 25 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on NC 42 East: Clayton
713 ft · 19 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Veterans Parkway
4.2 mi · 8 min · Veterans Parkway
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9
Turn left onto Amelia Church Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Amelia Church Road
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10
Turn left onto Shotwell Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Shotwell Road
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11
Turn right onto Covered Bridge Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Covered Bridge Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto North O'Neil Street
946 ft · 15 sec · North O'Neil Street
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13
Continue on Covered Bridge Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Covered Bridge Road
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14
Turn left onto Medlin Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Medlin Road
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15
Turn right onto Lake Wendell Road
545 ft · 16 sec · Lake Wendell Road
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16
Turn left onto Buffalo Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Buffalo Road
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17
Continue on Eagle Rock Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Eagle Rock Road
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18
Turn right onto Lake Glad Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Lake Glad Road
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19
Continue on West Haywood Street
1493 ft · 41 sec · West Haywood Street
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20
Turn left onto South Cypress Street
1351 ft · 35 sec · South Cypress Street
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21
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
119 m · 17 sec · West 3rd Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Wendell.
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 Wendell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Wendell?
The road trip is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
Turkey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.7 miles from Wilmington and 67.6 miles from Wendell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.1 miles (177.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.2 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 1:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.93 one way or $37.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Wendell.
Stop Ideas Near Turkey
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 Turkey.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Wendell. Straight-line distance: 110.12 mi (177.22 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 Wendell
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,387 |
| Coordinates | 35.7809900, -78.3697200 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wendell (-78.36972, 35.78099)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.93 | $37.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.17 | $42.34 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.84 | $45.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
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.