How far is Cary, NC from Fairview, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Fairview, NC is about 244.9 miles (394.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 203.8 miles (328 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
244.92 mi
04h 47m
Flight
203.84 mi
328.05 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
203.84 mi
Kilometers
328.05 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
244.92 mi
Kilometers
394.16 km
Drive Time
04h 47m

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 04h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairview
Wed, Apr 15, 11:50 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 4:37 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-15T07:02
Arrive Fairview
Wed, Apr 15, 11:50 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:24 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cary
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mocksville
NC

City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Cary
122.3 mi
02h 23m
To Fairview
122.7 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
54°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Fairview.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Fairview.

  1. 1

    Start on North Academy Street

    7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1937 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

    153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    2768 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74A East: Bat Cave

    1232 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Charlotte Highway

    7.3 mi · 11 min · Charlotte Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Merrill Drive

    9 m · 2 sec · Merrill Drive

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Fairview.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
154 mi · 63%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
80.1 mi · 33%
Charlotte Highway
7.27 mi · 3%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 1%
US 74A East
0.23 mi
Chapel Hill Road
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

153 mi · 02h 54m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.1 mi
203.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mocksville
02h 23m from Cary
Leave By
7:24 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Clear near Fairview.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cary to Fairview?

The road trip is about 244.9 miles (394.2 km) and usually takes 04h 47m 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?

Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.3 miles from Cary and 122.7 miles from Fairview.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 203.8 miles (328 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 7:24 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.22 one way or $68.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Clear near Fairview.

Stop Ideas Near Mocksville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mocksville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mocksville.

RAIL

Salisbury

26 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

29 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

36 mi away
100 West 5th Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

37 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Fairview. Straight-line distance: 203.84 mi (328.05 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Fairview

#2 Fairview

Township in Buncombe County, North Carolina

Population3,984
Coordinates35.5140100, -82.3959500
Altitude678
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Fairview (-82.39595, 35.51401)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 394 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.64 gal
32.72 L · about $34.22
Round trip
$68.45
17.28 gal · 65.44 L
Estimated CO2
76.8 kg one way
Round trip: 153.6 kg / 339 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $34.22 $68.45
Mid-grade $4.43 $38.27 $76.53
Premium $4.78 $41.28 $82.56
Diesel $5.62 $48.59 $97.18

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Cary and Fairview. The current time is 07:02:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.