How far is Cary, NC from Beaufort, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Beaufort, NC is about 163 miles (262.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Beaufort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Beaufort.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1232 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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8
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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10
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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12
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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13
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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14
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
36.9 mi · 52 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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16
Continue on Arendell Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · Arendell Street
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17
Continue on Grayden Paul Bridge
2360 ft · 56 sec · Grayden Paul Bridge
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18
Turn right onto Turner Street
3245 ft · 2 min · Turner Street
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19
Turn left onto Ann Street
91 m · 10 sec · Ann Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ann Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Beaufort.
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
36.9 mi · 00h 52m
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 Sunny near Beaufort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Beaufort?
The road trip is about 163 miles (262.3 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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 81.5 miles from Cary and 81.5 miles from Beaufort.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 10:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.78 one way or $45.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Beaufort.
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 Beaufort. Straight-line distance: 140.6 mi (226.28 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Beaufort
Town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 4,491 |
| Coordinates | 34.7182200, -76.6638200 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Beaufort (-76.66382, 34.71822)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.78 | $45.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.47 | $50.93 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.47 | $54.95 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.34 | $64.68 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.