Raleigh to Wilmington NC drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Raleigh to Wilmington NC by car is 129 miles, with a 1h56m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Raleigh to Wilmington NC drive are the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Rose Hill NC and the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina.
Finding the best things to do between Raleigh and Wilmington NC
The Raleigh to Wilmington NC drive connects the capital of North Carolina to the coast.
Raleigh NC offers a series of high quality museums. The North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina Museum of Art are the three big-hitters. Meanwhile, the Mordecai Historic Park is where you’ll find Raleigh’s oldest house and the William B Umstead State Park is the top spot for outdoorsy pursuits.
Top Raleigh activities include trolley pub tours and ghost tours.
For Raleigh accommodation, the Marriott is the prime address downtown and the Store is a gorgeous guesthouse.
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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Raleigh to Wilmington NC distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Raleigh to Wilmington NC is 129 miles. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 56 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-40.
The best stops to add to a Raleigh to Wilmington NC road trip itinerary are the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Rose Hill NC and the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina.
Raleigh to Wilmington NC drive: Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site
The Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site covers the location of the biggest battle ever fought in North Carolina. Fought from March 19-21 in 1965, this was the last tactical offensive launched by the Confederate Army in the Civil War. You can tackle it via a 10 mile self-driving tour, or along the six miles of walking trails. There is also a video presentation in the Visitor Center, while tours of Harper House show off the former field hospital.
Best stops between Raleigh and Wilmington NC: Rose Hill NC
The town square of Rose Hill NC offers one of those gloriously silly attractions that road trips are all about. The World’s Largest Frying Pan is 15ft wide, and can cook 365 whole chickens simultaneously.
Also in Rose Hill is the Duplin Winery, which is known for its sweet wines. It claims to be the biggest wine-making facility on the East Coast, and both tours and tastings are available for visitors.
Raleigh to Wilmington NC road trip attractions: The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is a pleasant place to spend an hour or two. In Willard NC, this non-profit botanical garden covers 300 acres. The Gardens frequently hosts special events, such as wreath-making workshops and light shows.
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