How far is Wilmington, NC from Wilkesboro, NC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Wilkesboro, NC is about 281.5 miles (453.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 224.9 miles (361.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 58m 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 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Wilkesboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Wilkesboro.
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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
48.3 mi · 56 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16 South, NC 18: Wilkesboro, Taylorsville, Lenoir
1005 ft · 25 sec
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20
Turn left onto South Cherry Street
3217 ft · 58 sec · South Cherry Street
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21
Turn right onto West Main Street
58 m · 5 sec · West Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Wilkesboro.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wilmington and Chance Rain Showers near Wilkesboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Wilkesboro?
The road trip is about 281.5 miles (453.1 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?
Ellerbe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.7 miles from Wilmington and 140.9 miles from Wilkesboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 224.9 miles (361.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.6 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 6:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.37 one way or $78.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wilmington and Chance Rain Showers near Wilkesboro.
Stop Ideas Near Ellerbe
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 Ellerbe.
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Wilkesboro. Straight-line distance: 224.88 mi (361.91 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 Wilkesboro
Town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina
| Population | 3,430 |
| Coordinates | 36.1459600, -81.1606400 |
| Altitude | 312 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilkesboro (-81.16064, 36.14596)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $39.37 | $78.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $44.02 | $88.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $47.49 | $94.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $55.90 | $111.81 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.