How far is Cary, NC from Atlantic Beach, FL?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Atlantic Beach, FL is about 472.5 miles (760.4 km), with a travel time of about 08h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 406.3 miles (653.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
472.49 mi
08h 45m
Flight
406.33 mi
653.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
406.33 mi
Kilometers
653.92 km
Flight Time
00h 49m

Driving Distance

Road route
472.49 mi
Kilometers
760.4 km
Drive Time
08h 45m

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 08h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atlantic Beach
Tue, Aug 25, 1:32 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Tue, Aug 25, 10:18 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-08-24T16:47
Arrive Atlantic Beach
Tue, Aug 25, 1:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
08h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:45 PM to 4:15 PM EDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
6:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cary
8:00 PM EDT
Overnight-style route

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
Saint George
SC

Town in South Carolina

From Cary
236.5 mi
04h 22m
To Atlantic Beach
236 mi
04h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Aug 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph N
Destination
94°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Aug 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Atlantic Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Atlantic Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on North Academy Street

    7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1232 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  5. 5

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    14.4 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville

    3110 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    25.3 mi · 29 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    385.6 mi · 6 hr 57 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 295 East: Jacksonville Beaches, East Beltway

    1.5 km · 2 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 295: Jaxport Terminals, Jacksonville Beaches, East Beltway

    1311 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto East Beltway

    9.3 mi · 11 min · East Beltway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on East Beltway

    3 mi · 3 min · East Beltway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 10: Atlantic Boulevard

    1569 ft · 38 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on FL 10 East: JAXEX at Craig Airport, Naval Station Mayport, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Jaxonville Beach

    105 m · 17 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Atlantic Boulevard

    7.4 mi · 13 min · Atlantic Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Seminole Road

    1 km · 2 min · Seminole Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Plaza Street

    1227 ft · 39 sec · Plaza Street

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Coast Drive

    104 m · 15 sec · East Coast Drive

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    29 m · 4 sec · 9th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Atlantic Beach.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
24 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-95 South
411 mi · 87%
I 40 East
14.4 mi · 3%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13.4 mi · 3%
East Beltway
12.3 mi · 3%
Atlantic Boulevard
7.36 mi · 2%
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.05 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-95 South

Keep slight left

386 mi · 06h 57m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
08h 45m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
17h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+66.2 mi
406.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint George
04h 22m from Cary
Leave By
6:30 PM EDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Atlantic Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cary to Atlantic Beach?

The road trip is about 472.5 miles (760.4 km) and usually takes 08h 45m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Saint George is a useful midpoint, sitting about 236.5 miles from Cary and 236 miles from Atlantic Beach.

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

The direct path is about 406.3 miles (653.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.2 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $66.03 one way or $132.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 148.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Atlantic Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Saint George

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint George, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saint George.

RAIL

Denmark

55 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Yemassee

61 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

64 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Kingstree

87 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Atlantic Beach. Straight-line distance: 406.33 mi (653.92 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Atlantic Beach

#2 Atlantic Beach

City in Duval County, Florida, United States

Population13,846
Coordinates30.3344100, -81.3987000
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Atlantic Beach (-81.3987, 30.33441)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 760 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)15h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)11h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)09h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)07h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)06h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
16.67 gal
63.11 L · about $66.03
Round trip
$132.06
33.34 gal · 126.22 L
Estimated CO2
148.1 kg one way
Round trip: 296.3 kg / 653 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $66.03 $132.06
Mid-grade $4.43 $73.83 $147.66
Premium $4.78 $79.65 $159.30
Diesel $5.62 $93.75 $187.50

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 · Aug 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Cary and Atlantic Beach. The current time is 16:47:38.

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.