Driving directions to Darlings By The Sea
Phone number: 1-800-383-8111

From Raleigh, Virginia, Tennessee and the north east:

Take I-40 east to Wilmington, NC. Make NO TURNS, and you’ll find that the road ends in Kure Beach. Once you reach the north side of Wilmington, I-40 becomes NC Rt. 132 (College Road) through the city. Then, it merges with NC Rt. 421, which goes straight to the beach.

Once you cross the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway (first time you’ll see the ocean), continue through the town of Carolina Beach and into the Town of Kure Beach. Approximately1/2 mile from the town line turn left onto "M Street" (US Post Office is on the opposite corner) and left again at the Atlantic Ocean - Darlings by the Sea is at 329 Atlantic Avenue. From the intersection of I-40 and I-95, driving time is about 2 hours.

From Charlotte, southern and central North Carolina:

Take NC Rt. 74 to Wilmington. As soon as you cross the bridge over the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, turn right on to NC Rt. 421 at the first stoplight at the base of the bridge. Follow NC Rt 421 to the beach. Kure Beach is 19 miles from the bridge.

Once you cross the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway (first time you’ll see the ocean), continue through the town of Carolina Beach and into the Town of Kure Beach. Approximately1/2 mile from the town line turn left onto "M Street" (US Post Office is on the opposite corner) and left again at the Atlantic Ocean - Darlings by the Sea is at 329 Atlantic Avenue. Drive time from Charlotte is 3.5 to 4 hours.

From Myrtle Beach:

Take NC Rt. 17 North. About 20 miles into NC, in the town of Supply, NC, turn right on NC 211 and proceed to Southport. Follow NC 211 through Southport and the road ends at the NC Auto Ferry Docks. Cross the Cape Fear River on the ferry and arrive at the southern end of Kure Beach on NC Rt. 421. Follow it into town, and turn right on "M Street" (two blocks past the one and only stoplight in town). Turn left at the Atlantic Ocean. Darlings by the Sea is at 329 Atlantic Avenue.

The NC Ferries run from sun rise to sunset, year round, generally every 45 minutes with some exceptions. Call 1-800-BY-FERRY for additional information. If not taking the ferry, continue on NC Rt. 17 north to NC Rt. 74 in Wilmington, and see the instructions above for travel from Charlotte. Cost of the Ferry is $5 per vehicle one way.