How far is Cary, NC from Burlington, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Burlington, NC is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Burlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Burlington.
-
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.
43.1 mi · 50 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
1360 ft · 37 sec
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7
Turn right onto East Harden Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Harden Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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10
Take the exit straight
2.3 mi · 3 min
-
11
Turn left onto South Worth Street
116 m · 22 sec · South Worth Street
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12
Turn right onto West Front Street
137 m · 23 sec · West Front Street
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13
Turn right onto South Church Street
51 m · 4 sec · South Church Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Church Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Burlington.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
43.1 mi · 00h 50m
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 Burlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Burlington?
The road trip is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from Cary and 26.8 miles from Burlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 4:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.33 one way or $14.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Burlington.
Stop Ideas Near Carrboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carrboro.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Burlington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Burlington. Straight-line distance: 42.32 mi (68.11 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Burlington
The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.
| Population | 55,599 |
| Coordinates | 36.0956900, -79.4378000 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Church Street (-79.437732, 36.095621)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.19 | $16.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $8.84 | $17.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.40 | $20.81 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.