How far is Cary, NC from East Flat Rock, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to East Flat Rock, NC is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.7 miles (334.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 00m 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 05h 00m.
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 Rowan County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and East Flat Rock.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and East Flat Rock.
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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
108 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
3242 ft · 50 sec
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10
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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11
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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12
Continue on East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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13
Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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14
Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
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15
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
12.5 mi · 15 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Hendersonville
1023 ft · 27 sec
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17
Turn left onto Upward Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Upward Road
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18
Turn left onto Spartanburg Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Spartanburg Highway
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19
Turn right onto West Blue Ridge Road
25 m · 3 sec · West Blue Ridge Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Blue Ridge Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and East Flat Rock.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
108 mi · 02h 02m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near East Flat Rock.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to East Flat Rock?
The road trip is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?
China Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.7 miles from Cary and 127.9 miles from East Flat Rock.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207.7 miles (334.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.9 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 7:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.73 one way or $71.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near East Flat Rock.
Stop Ideas Near China Grove
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 China Grove.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and East Flat Rock. Straight-line distance: 207.72 mi (334.3 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 East Flat Rock
Township in Henderson County, North Carolina
| Population | 4,995 |
| Coordinates | 35.2801200, -82.4220600 |
| Altitude | 673 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Flat Rock (-82.42206, 35.28012)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 411 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $35.73 | $71.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $39.95 | $79.90 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.10 | $86.20 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $50.73 | $101.46 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.