How far is Burlington, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Burlington, NC to Cary, NC is about 52.5 miles (84.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Cary.
-
1
Start on South Church Street
59 m · 9 sec · South Church Street
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2
Turn right onto West Webb Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Webb Avenue
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3
Continue on West Elm Street
1524 ft · 28 sec · West Elm Street
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4
Turn left onto West Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Harden Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
24 m · 1 sec · East Harden Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Harden Street
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7
Turn left
1207 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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13
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington and Cary.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Cloudy leaving Burlington and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Cary?
The road trip is about 52.5 miles (84.5 km) and usually takes 00h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.4 miles from Burlington and 27.1 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.33 one way or $14.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Burlington and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Carrboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carrboro.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Burlington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Cary. Straight-line distance: 42.32 mi (68.11 km).
#1 Burlington
The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.
| Population | 55,599 |
| Coordinates | 36.0956900, -79.4378000 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 85 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.19 | $16.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $8.84 | $17.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.40 | $20.81 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.