How far is Cary, NC from Elm City, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Elm City, NC is about 61.3 miles (98.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.4 miles (82.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 16m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Pike County, Georgia, 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 Elm City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Elm City.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1232 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
2.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
17.2 mi · 19 min
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8
Keep slight right
16.7 mi · 18 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 264 Alternate East: Wilson
1391 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn straight
4.1 mi · 6 min
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11
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · Airport Boulevard
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12
Continue on Lake Wilson Road
5 mi · 9 min · Lake Wilson Road
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13
Continue on Tolsnot Street
155 m · 11 sec · Tolsnot Street
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14
Turn right onto West Main Street
2207 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Parker Street
14 m · 1 sec · Parker Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Parker Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Elm 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 87 North
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
17.2 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Elm City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Elm City?
The road trip is about 61.3 miles (98.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Zebulon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.6 miles from Cary and 30.7 miles from Elm City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.4 miles (82.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.56 one way or $17.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Elm City.
Stop Ideas Near Zebulon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Clayton Utilities
City Of Raleigh Fleet Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Zebulon.
Raleigh Union Station
Selma–Smithfield
North Carolina State Fair station
Wilson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Elm City. Straight-line distance: 51.44 mi (82.79 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elm City
City in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 35.8065500, -77.8633200 |
| Altitude | 41 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm City (-77.86332, 35.80655)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $8.56 | $17.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $9.57 | $19.13 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $10.32 | $20.64 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $12.15 | $24.30 |
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.