Atlanta to Wilmington NC drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Atlanta to Wilmington NC drive are Augusta GA, Columbia SC and Florence SC. The distance from Atlanta to Wilmington NC is 419 miles, with 6h6m.
Planning an Atlanta to Wilmington NC road trip itinerary
The Atlanta to Wilmington drive takes you from Georgia’s capital to the North Carolina coast.
Atlanta played a massive part in the Civil Rights movement, and a black history and civil rights tour is pretty much a must-do.
For more Atlanta experiences, try a sightseeing trolley tour for orientation and overview. Or a guided bike ride to get a better feel for the neighbourhoods.
Other Atlanta favourites include the World of Coca Cola, Midtown food and cocktail tours and multi-brewery beer tours.
Wilmington NC is a port city that acts as a gateway to the beaches of Cape Fear. Wrightsville Beach is the best known of these. Attractions in the city itself include Battleship North Carolina, which took part in every major WWII Pacific offensive. Visitors can now go on board and explore.
For historic homes, you can try the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens or the Bellamy Mansion. And, on a sunny day, the Airlie Gardens and the Wilmington Riverwalk are a delight.
Good Wilmington experiences include nighttime ghost walks, history and architecture walking tours, e-bike tours and sunset sailing cruises.
For Wilmington accommodation deals, search here.
Atlanta to Wilmington NC distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Atlanta to Wilmington NC is 419 miles. That makes for a driving time of around six hours and six minutes. The quickest route is along the I-20, I-95 and US-74.
The best stops to add to an Atlanta to Wilmington NC road trip itinerary are Augusta GA, Columbia SC and Florence SC.
For more suggestions, check out the guides to the Atlanta to Augusta drive and Augusta to Columbia drive.
Best stops between Atlanta and Wilmington NC: Augusta GA
Augusta is, famously, the home of the US Masters golf tournament.
Augusta’s top attractions are the Augusta Museum of History, the Laurel and Hardy Museum and the Augusta National Golf Club. You can also take a jetski tour along the Savannah River or take a stroll along the garden-lined Augusta Riverwalk.
Atlanta to Wilmington NC road trip attractions: Columbia SC
Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. Top attractions include the South Carolina State Museum, which looks at the rich history of the state. It does so in a surprisingly fun way, with a digital planetarium and 4D theater.
But the city’s real appeal is in the numerous parks along the Broad River. These include the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
For well-rated Columbia accommodation options, try the academia-themed Graduate and the characterful Hotel Trundle.
Atlanta to Wilmington NC drive: Florence SC
The Florence County Museum offers a good mix of science, art and history. But the Florence Veterans Park is arguably a more impressive cultural attraction. The six-acre park is dedicated to military veterans, and is dotted with grand sculptures and memorials.
Meanwhile, the Lynches River County Park to the south of the city is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. There’s also an Environmental Discovery Center, which aims to educate visitors about the local ecosystems.

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