How far is Cary, NC from Butner, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Butner, NC is about 31.1 miles (50 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
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 Butner.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Butner.
-
1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street
-
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road
-
3
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp left
1937 ft · 41 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
7.2 mi · 8 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on East End Connector
3.7 mi · 4 min · East End Connector
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 85 North, US 15 North: Henderson, Petersburg
1565 ft · 38 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
10 mi · 11 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Butner
1166 ft · 34 sec
-
12
Turn left onto Gate 2 Road
643 ft · 12 sec · Gate 2 Road
-
13
Continue on Gate #2 Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Gate #2 Road
-
14
Continue on Central Avenue
1196 ft · 37 sec · Central Avenue
-
15
Turn left onto West B Street
10 m · 1 sec · West B Street
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West B Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Butner.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 85 North
Merge slight left
10 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Butner.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Butner?
The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Cary and 15.5 miles from Butner.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.36 one way or $8.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Butner.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Butner. Straight-line distance: 23.57 mi (37.93 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Butner
Town of the United States
| Population | 7,875 |
| Coordinates | 36.1320900, -78.7566700 |
| Altitude | 113 |
| Country | United States |
End: Butner (-78.75667, 36.13209)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.36 | $8.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.87 | $9.74 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $5.26 | $10.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $6.19 | $12.37 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.