Greenville SC to Wilmington NC drive: Best stops, distance & time

The best road trip stops on the Greenville SC to Wilmington NC drive are Columbia SC, Florence SC and Lumberton NC. The distance from Greenville SC to Wilmington NC is 313 miles, with a 4h38m driving time.

Planning a Greenville SC to Wilmington NC road trip itinerary

The Greenville SC to Wilmington NC drive connects one of South Carolina’s biggest cities to the North Carolina coast.

Greenville SC is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. It strikes a nice balance between outdoorsiness, culture and decadence. Falls Park on the Reedy brings cascades near the city center.  The Upcountry History Museum covers regional history. And the Roper Mountain Science Center has a planetarium, dinosaur adventure trail, butterfly garden and a living history farm.

Enjoyable Greenville experiences include craft cocktail tours, Segway adventures, paranormal walking tours and dessert-themed foodie tours.

Great Greenville accommodation choices include the spacious SpringHill Suites and the charming Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast.

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.

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Greenville SC to Wilmington NC distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Greenville SC to Wilmington NC is 313 miles. You can expect a driving time of around four hours and 38 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-385, I-26, I-20, I-95 and US-94.

The best stops to add to a Greenville SC to Wilmington NC road trip itinerary are Columbia SC, Florence SC and Lumberton NC.

Best stops between Greenville SC and Wilmington NC: 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.

Greenville SC 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.

Greenville SC to Wilmington NC road trip attractions: Lumberton NC

Lumberton NC has a handful of attractive parks. The lakeside trails and playgrounds of the Luther Britt Park are probably the most appealing for visitors. On a cultural level, the Robeson County History Museum covers local history and the Exploration Station lets children learn through play.

The ocean in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The ocean in Wilmington, North Carolina. Photo by Wentau Liu/ Unsplash.

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