How far is Carrboro, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Carrboro, NC to Cary, NC is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carrboro and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrboro and Cary.
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1
Start on West Main Street
935 ft · 41 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn right onto South Greensboro Street
2446 ft · 1 min · South Greensboro Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Greensboro Street
27 m · 2 sec · South Greensboro Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Greensboro Street
1031 ft · 36 sec · South Greensboro Street
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5
Take the ramp left toward NC 54 East: Chapel Hill
1063 ft · 29 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 5 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54 East: Raleigh
2.9 mi · 6 min
-
8
Take the ramp slight right toward I-40 East: Raleigh
1319 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left
13.9 mi · 16 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
-
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 Carrboro and Cary.
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.
I-40 East
Merge slight left
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Carrboro and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carrboro to Cary?
The road trip is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.2 miles from Carrboro and 12.9 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 7:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.49 one way or $6.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carrboro and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carrboro and Cary. Straight-line distance: 18.4 mi (29.61 km).
#1 Carrboro
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 21,239 |
| Coordinates | 35.9101400, -79.0752900 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| 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: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.49 | $6.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $3.90 | $7.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.20 | $8.41 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $4.95 | $9.90 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.