How far is Cary, NC from Elizabeth City, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Elizabeth City, NC is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 44m 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 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Elizabeth City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Elizabeth City.
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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
1.5 mi · 2 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto East Marion Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Marion Street
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14
Continue on North Post Road
1.1 km · 1 min · North Post Road
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15
Turn left onto Crystal Lane
129 m · 19 sec · Crystal Lane
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Crystal Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Elizabeth City.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Elizabeth City?
The road trip is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.1 miles from Cary and 99.3 miles from Elizabeth City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 9:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.73 one way or $55.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth City.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Lexington
Salisbury
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Elizabeth City. Straight-line distance: 156.2 mi (251.38 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elizabeth City
City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina
| Population | 17,751 |
| Coordinates | 35.2929100, -81.4912000 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elizabeth City (-81.4912, 35.29291)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.73 | $55.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.00 | $62.01 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.45 | $66.89 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.37 | $78.74 |
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.