How far is Cary, NC from Albemarle, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Albemarle, NC is about 242.1 miles (389.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211.4 miles (340.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Albemarle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Albemarle.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
1937 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
59.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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6
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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7
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 Alternate East
1633 ft · 44 sec
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11
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Charlotte Street
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12
Turn right onto Macon Avenue
873 ft · 42 sec · Macon Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Glendale Road
86 m · 12 sec · Glendale Road
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Glendale Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Albemarle.
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 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153 mi · 02h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Clear leaving Cary and Sunny near Albemarle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Albemarle?
The road trip is about 242.1 miles (389.7 km) and usually takes 04h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.9 miles from Cary and 121.2 miles from Albemarle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211.4 miles (340.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.87 one way or $67.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Cary and Sunny near Albemarle.
Stop Ideas Near Mocksville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mocksville.
Salisbury
Lexington
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Albemarle. Straight-line distance: 211.4 mi (340.22 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albemarle
City in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 16,344 |
| Coordinates | 35.6115000, -82.5426300 |
| Altitude | 680 |
| Country | United States |
End: Albemarle (-82.54263, 35.6115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 390 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.87 | $67.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $37.87 | $75.74 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $40.85 | $81.70 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.09 | $96.17 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.