How far is Archer Lodge, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Archer Lodge, NC to Cary, NC is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.7 miles (38.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
30.86 mi
00h 36m
Flight
23.72 mi
38.17 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Archer Lodge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.72 mi
Kilometers
38.17 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.86 mi
Kilometers
49.66 km
Drive Time
00h 36m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Mon, Apr 20, 2:31 AM EDT
Return by in Archer Lodge
Mon, Apr 20, 3:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Archer Lodge
2026-04-20T01:55
Arrive Cary
Mon, Apr 20, 2:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Archer Lodge
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Raleigh
NC

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.

From Archer Lodge
15.4 mi
00h 18m
To Cary
15.4 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 20 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NW
Destination
67°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 20 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Archer Lodge and Cary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Archer Lodge and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on Buffalo Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Buffalo Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Lake Wendell Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Lake Wendell Road

  3. 3

    Continue on State Road 2508

    3183 ft · 49 sec · State Road 2508

  4. 4

    Continue on Bissette Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · Bissette Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Smithfield Road

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Smithfield Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: Raleigh

    1208 ft · 29 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    6.6 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary

    1262 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Archer Lodge and Cary.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
3 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
51.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 South
9.5 mi · 31%
Dan K Moore Freeway
5.85 mi · 19%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.26 mi · 14%
Smithfield Road
3.26 mi · 11%
Buffalo Road
2.64 mi · 9%
Chapel Hill Road
2.23 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

I 87 South

Merge slight left

6.61 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 36m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
23.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Raleigh
00h 18m from Archer Lodge
Leave By
7:18 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Archer Lodge and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Archer Lodge to Cary?

The road trip is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.4 miles from Archer Lodge and 15.4 miles from Cary.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 23.7 miles (38.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.32 one way or $8.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Archer Lodge and Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Raleigh

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Raleigh and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 14.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 5.6 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 14.6 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 11.6 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Raleigh.

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

1 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

13 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

35 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Archer Lodge and Cary. Straight-line distance: 23.72 mi (38.17 km).

Archer Lodge

#1 Archer Lodge

City in North Carolina, United States of America

Population5,322
Coordinates35.6940400, -78.3755600
Altitude103
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Buffalo Road (-78.375439, 35.694128)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.09 gal
4.12 L · about $4.32
Round trip
$8.63
2.18 gal · 8.24 L
Estimated CO2
9.7 kg one way
Round trip: 19.4 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $4.32 $8.63
Mid-grade $4.43 $4.83 $9.66
Premium $4.78 $5.21 $10.42
Diesel $5.62 $6.13 $12.26

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Carolina · Apr 20, 2026

There is no time difference between Archer Lodge and Cary. The current time is 01:55:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.