Maximum Overdrive was released on July 25, 1986. It is based on the short story ‘Trucks’ by Stephen King. It was filmed in North Carolina around Wilmington.
I love this movie, but surprisingly I never visited any of the locations during previous trips to Wilmington. I decided to fix that, and did a whole Stephen King-themed trip consisting of this, Silver Bullet, Firestarter, Cat’s Eye, and The Night Flier.
Movie Location: Opening
Filming Location: Thomas Rhodes Bridge
US-74, Wilmington, NC 28401
Date of Photos: October 2025
I took this shot from the bridge across the river. It is right by the Battleship North Carolina Museum.
Movie Location: Bridge
Filming Location: Isabel Holmes Bridge
1015 Nutt St., Wilmington, NC 28401
Date of Photos: October 2025
This is the address for the Wilmington Riverwalk where I took the photo.
Movie Location: Dixie Boy Truck Stop
Filming Location: 1984 Popular St. NE, Leland, NC 28451
Date of Photos: October 2025
The truck stop was a set built just for the movie. Some of the background buildings are still there, including the warehouse in the 2nd picture.
Movie Location: Baseball Field
Filming Location: (across from) 3901 Castle Hayne Rd., Wilmington, NC 28401
Date of Photos: October 2025
This is just down the road from Virgil’s Service Station in Silver Bullet.
Movie Location: Ice Cream Truck Scene
Filming Location: Shirley Rd. & Kenwood Ave., Wilmington, NC 28405
Date of Photos: October 2025
The Grabber’s house from The Black Phone is also on Shirley Rd.
This house is at 2325 Shirley Rd.
Movie Location: Gas Station
Filming Location: 1712 Fletcher Rd. NE, Leland, NC 28451
Date of Photos: October 2025
Movie Location: Diner
Filming Location: 6142 Carolina Beach Rd., Wilmington, NC 28412
Date of Photos: October 2025
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