How far is Cary, NC from Bryson City, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Bryson City, NC is about 304.2 miles (489.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.4 miles (423.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 02m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Bryson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Bryson City.
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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 left
25.5 mi · 32 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
22 mi · 29 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
18.4 mi · 23 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 19 CONN: Bryson City
1492 ft · 36 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 19 CONN: Bryson City
114 m · 9 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Veterans Boulevard
3177 ft · 1 min · Veterans Boulevard
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15
Continue on Highway 19 South
113 m · 8 sec · Highway 19 South
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16
Continue on Slope Street
1582 ft · 57 sec · Slope Street
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17
Turn right onto Bryson Avenue
137 m · 25 sec · Bryson Avenue
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18
Turn left
19 m · 5 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Bryson City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Bryson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Bryson City?
The road trip is about 304.2 miles (489.5 km) and usually takes 06h 02m 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?
Catawba is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.9 miles from Cary and 152.3 miles from Bryson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.4 miles (423.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.8 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 $42.50 one way or $85.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Bryson City.
Stop Ideas Near Catawba
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 Catawba.
Kannapolis
Gastonia
Salisbury
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Bryson City. Straight-line distance: 263.38 mi (423.87 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bryson City
City in Swain County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,443 |
| Coordinates | 35.4312700, -83.4494400 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bryson City (-83.44944, 35.43127)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 489 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $42.50 | $85.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $47.52 | $95.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $51.27 | $102.54 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $60.35 | $120.69 |
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.