Topsail Island is the kind of place that rewards the drive. The closer you get to Surf City, the quieter the road becomes, until you crest the high-rise bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway and the whole island opens up below you: marsh grass, boats at anchor, and that first wide flash of the Atlantic. This guide covers exactly how to get here, whether you are flying in or driving down, so the only thing left to plan is which beach chair is yours.
How far is the nearest airport to Surf City?
The closest airport is Wilmington International Airport (ILM), roughly 32 miles and about 40 to 45 minutes from Surf City by car. It is a small, easy airport to navigate, which makes it the smoothest landing if you can find a convenient flight. You pick up your rental car, hop on the highway, and you are crossing the bridge before you know it.
If ILM does not work for your schedule or budget, two larger hubs open up more flight options:
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 111 miles and roughly 2 hours, 15 minutes to the south in South Carolina.
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): about 145 miles and roughly 2 hours, 45 minutes to the northwest, with the widest selection of nonstop routes of the three.
All drive times are approximate and assume normal traffic. Summer Saturdays, the island’s main turnover day, can run longer, so build in a cushion if you are arriving on a weekend.
Book your stay direct at Sound to Sea once your dates are set.
Driving directions: how to reach Surf City from major cities
Most road trips to Topsail funnel through the Wilmington area and then up the coast, or come in from the west on Interstate 40. Here is the high-level orientation from the regional cities guests drive from most:
- From Raleigh (about 2.5 hours): Take I-40 East toward Wilmington and exit in the Hampstead area, then follow NC-210 and US-17 toward the coast and into Surf City.
- From Charlotte (about 4 to 4.5 hours): Head east across the state, connecting to I-40 East toward Wilmington, then up US-17 and NC-210 to the island.
- From Richmond, VA (about 4.25 hours): Take I-95 South into North Carolina, then cut over toward the coast and connect to US-17 South to reach the Surf City area.
- From the Washington, DC area (about 6 to 6.5 hours): Follow I-95 South through Virginia and into North Carolina, then route toward Wilmington and up the coast on US-17 to Surf City.
Once you are near the island, the final approach is simple: roads in the Surf City area feed to a roundabout at the base of the bridge. Follow the signs over the bridge and you are on Topsail Island.
What is the bridge situation getting onto Topsail Island?
This is the question first-time guests ask most, usually because they have heard about the old drawbridge. Good news: the wait-for-the-bridge days are over. The original Surf City swing bridge, in service since 1955, was retired and removed in 2018 and 2019. In its place stands a modern fixed high-rise bridge with 65 feet of clearance, so boats pass underneath while cars roll across without ever stopping. No bridge openings, no idling in line, no timing your arrival around a schedule.
The crossing itself is a small thrill. As you climb the span, the Intracoastal Waterway spreads out on both sides and you get your first real look at the island. It is the unofficial start of vacation.
One note for guests headed to the far north end of the island: there is a second high-rise crossing, the Trooper Larry Walton Memorial Bridge at Sneads Ferry, which connects to North Topsail Beach. For Surf City, the central Surf City bridge is the one you want.
Arrival tips for your beach house
A few practical things to make your first hour on the island easy:
- Grocery stop on the way in. Stock up before you cross the bridge. There are full grocery stores in the Hampstead and Surf City area along your approach, which is the easy moment to grab cold drinks, breakfast, and anything you forgot, so you do not have to leave once you have unpacked.
- Parking at the house. Topsail beach houses typically offer driveway or under-house parking. Have your check-in details handy so you know exactly where to pull in when you arrive.
- How far is the beach and the sound? Surf City is a narrow barrier island, so you are never far from the water. From most homes in town, the ocean and the sound side are each only a short walk or a couple of minutes by car, with the Atlantic on one side and the calm Intracoastal on the other.
When you are ready to make it yours, book direct at Sound to Sea and skip the third-party fees.