You're headed to Onslow County. Maybe you're a Marine reporting for duty at Camp Lejeune, or perhaps you're just looking for a quiet weekend at Topsail Island. Either way, figuring out the best airports by Jacksonville NC is usually more annoying than it should be because the geography of coastal North Carolina is, frankly, a bit of a mess.
If you just type "Jacksonville" into a booking site, you might end up in Florida. Don't do that.
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a military town through and through. Because of that, the travel infrastructure is built around efficiency, but it’s not always the cheapest. You have basically one "local" option and then a handful of others that require a rental car and a decent playlist. I’ve spent enough time navigating the Highway 17 corridor to know that the "closest" airport isn't always the fastest when you factor in TSA lines or rental car shuttle loops.
The Albert J. Ellis (OAJ) Reality Check
Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) is the only one that is actually in the Jacksonville area—specifically Richlands. It’s tiny. I mean, you can walk from the curb to your gate in about seven minutes if you aren't carrying much.
For most people looking for airports by Jacksonville NC, OAJ is the default choice. American Airlines and Delta are the big players here, mostly running regional jets into hubs like Charlotte or Atlanta. It’s convenient. You land, you grab your bags, and you're at the front gate of Camp Lejeune in twenty minutes.
But there's a catch.
Price. You’ll often pay a "convenience tax" of $100 to $200 more than if you flew into a larger hub. If your command is paying for the ticket or you’ve got a massive budget, go for it. If you’re a family of four trying to save money, OAJ might hurt your wallet. Honestly, the parking is cheap and the stress is low, which counts for a lot when you’re dealing with North Carolina humidity.
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The airport itself has undergone some nice renovations recently. The "Skyport" cafe is decent for a quick bite, but don't expect a five-course meal. It’s a functional space. It gets you in and gets you out.
Why ILM is Often the Better Move
About 50 minutes south of Jacksonville sits Wilmington International Airport (ILM). In the world of airports by Jacksonville NC, this is the one I usually recommend to friends.
Why? It’s just big enough.
ILM has seen a massive surge in service lately. Since 2023, they’ve added more low-cost options like Avelo and Sun Country, alongside the standard United, American, and Delta flights. It’s a beautiful airport—very airy, lots of glass, and it feels like a vacation the second you step off the plane.
The drive from Wilmington to Jacksonville is a straight shot up Highway 17. It’s an easy drive. No crazy mountain passes or six-lane traffic jams. You just cruise past the antique shops and gas stations of Holly Ridge and Hampstead. If you're staying on the south side of Jacksonville or heading to the beach, ILM is frequently the more logical choice.
Considering the New Bern Connection
Then there’s Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) in New Bern. It’s roughly 40 miles north.
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It’s even smaller than OAJ in some ways. It basically serves one purpose: getting people to and from Charlotte. If you find a weirdly cheap flight on American into EWN, take it. The drive down Highway 17 South into Jacksonville is pretty, crossing over some swampy marshes and through the Croatan National Forest.
But honestly? Most people ignore New Bern. It’s a niche choice. It’s great if you want to see the birthplace of Pepsi on your way into town, but it doesn't offer the variety that Wilmington does.
The Heavy Hitters: RDU and CLT
Sometimes, you just need a direct flight. Or you’re flying internationally.
Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) is the big one. It’s about two hours and fifteen minutes away from Jacksonville, depending on how heavy your foot is on I-40. RDU is a major tech hub airport. It has everything—direct flights to London, Paris, and almost every major US city.
Is it worth the drive?
- When it is: If you’re saving $400 on a group of tickets.
- When it isn't: On a Friday afternoon when I-40 East turns into a parking lot.
Then there’s Charlotte Douglas (CLT). Look, Charlotte is a massive hub. It’s one of the busiest in the world. But it’s nearly four hours away. I only mention it because people see it on a map and think, "Oh, it's the same state!"
North Carolina is long. Really long. Driving from Charlotte to Jacksonville is a chore. Unless you are moving a literal U-Haul and need to save every penny, don't fly into Charlotte to get to Jacksonville. You’ll spend the "savings" on gas and snacks at a Bojangles in the middle of nowhere.
Navigating the "Military Factor"
If you are traveling as a civilian to visit a Marine at Camp Lejeune, New River, or Cherry Point, there are things you need to know about these airports by Jacksonville NC.
Uber and Lyft exist here, but they are hit or miss at OAJ. You can't always count on a car being ready at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday. Most locals rely on the "Enterprise" or "Hertz" counters. If you're flying into OAJ, book your rental car way in advance. They run out. I've seen people stranded at the terminal because they thought they could just "grab a car" upon arrival.
Also, if you're flying into OAJ or ILM to attend a graduation or a homecoming, book your hotel in Jacksonville or Sneads Ferry early. The town fills up fast during big base events.
Hidden Logistics: The Shuttle Myth
There used to be more military shuttles running between these airports and the base. Those have largely dried up or become very specific to active-duty personnel on orders. Don't assume there's a "bus" waiting for you.
If you land at RDU, there are private shuttle services like Greyhound or regional connectors, but they are slow. You’ll spend four hours on a bus that stops in every small town like Goldsboro or Kinston. Just rent the car. Trust me.
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Which Airport Should You Actually Pick?
It basically comes down to a simple flowchart of your priorities.
If you value time and proximity above everything else, Albert J. Ellis (OAJ) is your winner. You’re in Jacksonville before your checked bag would even hit the carousel at a bigger airport. It’s a stress-free experience that feels like flying in the 1990s—before everything got so crowded and angry.
If you value budget and options, Wilmington (ILM) is the sweet spot. You get the competition between airlines which keeps prices lower, but you don't have the soul-crushing traffic of Raleigh or Charlotte. Plus, you can grab some legendary seafood in Wilmington before you make the drive up to Jax.
For those flying internationally or from the West Coast, you’re probably stuck with RDU. Just build in the extra time for the drive. Highway 440 and I-40 can be unpredictable.
Actionable Travel Steps
- Check OAJ first but don't buy immediately. Look at the total travel time. A layover in Charlotte might turn a 1-hour flight into a 6-hour ordeal.
- Compare with ILM. Often, a flight to Wilmington is direct from places like Baltimore or New York, whereas Jacksonville (OAJ) almost always requires a connection.
- Rent your car early. The rental fleets at small regional airports are limited. If you wait until you land, you might be walking.
- Verify your destination. Make sure you are going to Jacksonville, NC (OAJ) and not Jacksonville, FL (JAX). It sounds stupid, but travel agents and automated systems make this mistake every single day.
- Watch the weather. Coastal NC gets hit by sudden afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. OAJ and ILM are more likely to have delays than the inland RDU because of sea breezes and tropical patterns.
Finding the right airports by Jacksonville NC isn't about finding the "best" one; it's about finding the one that fits your specific tolerance for driving versus your tolerance for high ticket prices. Most people find that Wilmington offers the best balance, but for a quick military trip, the convenience of Richlands is hard to beat.