How far is Cary, NC from Atlantic Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Atlantic Beach, NC is about 159.7 miles (257 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 03h 15m.
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.
Town in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
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
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street
-
2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
-
3
Take the ramp slight right
1232 ft · 27 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
-
5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
-
8
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
-
9
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
-
10
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
-
11
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
-
12
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
-
13
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
-
14
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.2 mi · 48 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
-
16
Turn right onto Atlantic Beach Bridge
1.4 km · 2 min · Atlantic Beach Bridge
-
17
Continue on Atlantic Beach Causeway
1.3 km · 2 min · Atlantic Beach Causeway
-
18
Turn right onto West Terminal Boulevard
100 m · 11 sec · West Terminal Boulevard
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Terminal Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Atlantic Beach.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Freedom Memorial Bridge
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.2 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny 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 159.7 miles (257 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
La Grange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from Cary and 79.9 miles from Atlantic Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.30 one way or $44.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Atlantic Beach.
Stop Ideas Near La Grange
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 La Grange.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Wilson
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Atlantic Beach. Straight-line distance: 137.69 mi (221.59 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Atlantic Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,515 |
| Coordinates | 34.6990500, -76.7402100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Atlantic Beach (-76.74021, 34.69905)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.30 | $44.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.94 | $49.87 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.90 | $53.80 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.66 | $63.33 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.