Interstate 40 West - Wilmington to Burgaw

Interstate 40 begins as U.S. 117/NC 132 cross Smith Creek ahead of Exit 420A (Gordon Road).

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Gordon Road travels east from I-40/U.S. 117-NC 132 (Exit 420A) to U.S. 17 (Market Street) east near Ogden and west to Kerr Avenue near the grounds of Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Kerr Avenue loops around the north side of the airport to NC 133 at Wrightsboro.

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Interstate 40 through New Hanover County is dedicated to honor the basketball great Michael Jordan. Jordan, who played for the University of North Carolina Tarheels and NBA Chicago Bulls, grew up in Wilmington.

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I-40 advances north from Wilmington to Interstate 140. Opened in stages between 2006 and December 19, 2017, the freeway provides a bypass for U.S. 17 southwest to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and east to Jacksonville.

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I-40 ultimately travels to Barstow, California and Interstate 15. No longer posted, this novelty sign acknowledged the distance to the Golden State from Wilmington. A new assembly installed by July 2024 added Benson and Raleigh.

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This sign referencing Benson, near where I-40 meets I-95, and the capital city of Raleigh, was replaced with a new assembly including Barstow, California by July 2024. Murraysville Road passes over I-40 beyond the sign.

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The first of many Interstate 40 westbound shields posted along the eight-state freeway.

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One mile ahead of the directional cloverleaf interchange (Exits 416B/A) with Interstate 140. The initial segment of I-140 was built in 2005 between I-40 and U.S. 421 across the NE Cape Fear River. U.S. 17 previously overlapped with both I-140 and U.S. 421 south to U.S. 74, and east along the NC 140 section between I-40 and Market Street at Kirkland.

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Interstate 140 east connects with U.S. 17 north ahead of the Pender County line at Scotts Hill. U.S. 17 leads northeast from there to Topsail Beach, Surf City and New Bern (U.S. 70).

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Exit 416B departs Interstate 40 west for I-140 east six miles to U.S. 17 (Market Street) at Kirkland. U.S. 17 travels northeast from Wilmington 43 miles to U.S. 258 at Jacksonville.

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Exit 416A loops onto a c/d roadway along I-140 west ahead of Castle Hayne. The freeway loops southwest around Leland to connect with U.S. 17 at Bishop in 19.5 miles.

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Approaching the Sidbury Road overpass, drivers along Interstate 40 see the next westbound shield. Out of view along the west side of I-40 is the campus of Cape Fear Community College.

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The final New Hanover County interchange (Exit 414) joins Interstate 40 with Holly Shelter Road in 1.5 miles.

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Distance sign posted 91 miles south of Benson and Interstate 95 and 120 miles from the capital city of Raleigh.

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One mile south of the folded diamond interchange (Exit 414) with Holly Shelter Road on Interstate 40 west. Holly Shelter Road leads west a short distance to U.S. 117 & NC 133 (Castle Hayne Road) at Castle Hayne.

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Exit 414 departs Interstate 40 north. Holly Shelter Road continues east to Island Creek Road and NC 210.

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An Interstate 40 Alternate shield directs motorists from Exit 414 to Holly Shelter Road west to U.S. 117. U.S. 117 is a signed alternate route for I-40 leading north from Wilmington.

11/11/06

Interstate 40 spans the Northeast Cape Fear River across the Frank H. Kenan Bridge into Pender County.

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NC 210 arcs north from Holly Shelter Road to cross paths with Interstate 40 at a diamond interchange (Exit 408) in two miles.

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Traveling 195 miles, NC 210 ends in eastern Pender County at U.S. 17 near Hampstead. Westward the road ventures to Fayetteville before turning east again to Smithfield.

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Westbound at Exit 408 to NC 210. NC 210 intersects U.S. 117 nearby en route to Rocky Point and Bells Crossroads on an otherwise rural drive.

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Continuing north through mainly forested areas, Interstate 40 enters a ten mile exit less stretch.

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Benson and Raleigh are replaced with Burgaw (Exit 398) and Wallace (Exit 390) on the next westbound distance sign. Neither town is over 4,000 in population.

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The second Pender County interchange joins Interstate 40 with NC 53 near the county seat of Burgaw.

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NC 53 travels east to the city of Jacksonville, meeting U.S. 17 and 258 there. Westward, Burgaw lies at the cross roads of the state route and parallel U.S. 117.

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Entering the folded diamond interchange (Exit 398) with NC 53 on I-40. NC 53 travels 114 miles between East Fayetteville and Jacksonville. West of Burgaw, the road continues eight miles to U.S. 421/NC 11 at Wards Corner.

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Interstate 40 traverses timberland west of Murray Town.

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U.S. 117 and Interstate 40 cross paths 2.58 miles north of Exit 398. The two meet again ahead of Wallace, located 11 miles to the north.

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U.S. 117 meets Interstate 40 northeast of the town of Watha at Exit 390. The two previously met directly outside Wilmington.

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Anderson Road passes over Interstate 40 one mile south of the diamond interchange (Exit 390) with U.S. 117.

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U.S. 117 travels northwest three miles into the Duplin County city of Wallace. NC 11 combines with the US highway from Willard nearby before parting for Tin City.

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Interstate 40 runs just ten feet above sea level on the ensuing stretch west of the Cape Fear River and Angola Swamp.

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Crossing Rockfish Creek, westbound Interstate 40 enters Duplin County.

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