How far is Cary, NC from Cornelius, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Cornelius, NC is about 153.5 miles (247.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.6 miles (190.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Guilford County, 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 Cornelius.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Cornelius.
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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 left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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8
Keep slight left
63.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 73: Davidson Highway, Huntersville
1547 ft · 40 sec
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10
Continue on Davidson Highway
6 mi · 9 min · Davidson Highway
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11
Continue on Sam Furr Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Sam Furr Road
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12
Turn right onto Mayes Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Mayes Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Statesville Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Statesville Road
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14
Continue on South Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Legion Street
131 m · 19 sec · Legion Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Legion Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Cornelius.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
63.1 mi · 01h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Cornelius.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Cornelius?
The road trip is about 153.5 miles (247.1 km) and usually takes 03h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Cary and 76.8 miles from Cornelius.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.6 miles (190.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.47 one way or $42.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Cornelius.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
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 Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Cornelius. Straight-line distance: 118.62 mi (190.9 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cornelius
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 30,804 |
| Coordinates | 35.4868000, -80.8600700 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cornelius (-80.86007, 35.4868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.47 | $42.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.01 | $48.01 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.90 | $51.79 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.48 | $60.96 |
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.