How far is Cary, NC from Carrboro, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Carrboro, NC is about 25 miles (40.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m 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 37m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
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 Carrboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Carrboro.
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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.
13.8 mi · 16 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54 East: Durham
1357 ft · 41 sec
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7
Turn left onto Raleigh Road
3 mi · 6 min · Raleigh Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward US 15, US 501: Carrboro, Pittsboro
697 ft · 21 sec
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9
Continue on North Fordham Boulevard
3 mi · 5 min · North Fordham Boulevard
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Merritt Mill Road
601 ft · 19 sec
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11
Turn left onto Merritt Mill Road
774 ft · 21 sec · Merritt Mill Road
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12
Turn right onto South Greensboro Street
689 ft · 18 sec · South Greensboro Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Greensboro Street
29 m · 2 sec · South Greensboro Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto South Greensboro Street
2454 ft · 1 min · South Greensboro Street
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15
Turn left onto West Main Street
865 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street
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16
Continue on West Main Street
21 m · 2 sec · West Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Carrboro.
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.
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
13.8 mi · 00h 16m
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 Carrboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Carrboro?
The road trip is about 25 miles (40.2 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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 12.5 miles from Cary and 12.5 miles from Carrboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 7:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.49 one way or $6.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Carrboro.
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 Carrboro. Straight-line distance: 18.4 mi (29.61 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carrboro
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 21,239 |
| Coordinates | 35.9101400, -79.0752900 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carrboro (-79.07529, 35.91014)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.49 | $6.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $3.90 | $7.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.20 | $8.41 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $4.95 | $9.90 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.