How far is Cary, NC from Benson, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Benson, NC is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 North Carolina, United States
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 Cary and Benson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Benson.
-
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 left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
12.2 mi · 13 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 242: Benson
1439 ft · 37 sec
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11
Turn right
2.6 mi · 4 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Wall Street
2953 ft · 1 min · North Wall Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Wall Street
53 m · 3 sec · North Wall Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto North Wall Street
17 m · 2 sec · North Wall Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Wall Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Benson.
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 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
12.2 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Benson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Benson?
The road trip is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Garner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Cary and 20 miles from Benson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.59 one way or $11.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Benson.
Stop Ideas Near Garner
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Clayton Utilities
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Garner.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Benson. Straight-line distance: 31.16 mi (50.15 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Benson
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 35.3821100, -78.5486200 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
End: Benson (-78.54862, 35.38211)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.59 | $11.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.24 | $12.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $6.74 | $13.47 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $7.93 | $15.86 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.