How far is Cary, NC from Flat Rock, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Flat Rock, NC is about 131.5 miles (211.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.5 miles (179.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
131.49 mi
02h 39m
Flight
111.52 mi
179.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.52 mi
Kilometers
179.48 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.49 mi
Kilometers
211.62 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 02h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Flat Rock
Fri, Apr 17, 6:11 PM EDT
Return by in Cary
Fri, Apr 17, 8:51 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-17T15:31
Arrive Flat Rock
Fri, Apr 17, 6:11 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cary
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Greensboro
NC

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.

From Cary
65.7 mi
01h 19m
To Flat Rock
65.8 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W
Destination
87°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Flat Rock.

  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 right to continue on Salem Parkway

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Salem Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 74 West

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Winston-Salem Northern Beltway

    11.1 mi · 13 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 52 North: Mount Airy

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway

    20.9 mi · 24 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on South Andy Griffith Parkway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · South Andy Griffith Parkway

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Charlie Norman Road

    99 m · 6 sec · Charlie Norman Road

  15. 15

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Westfield Road

    2932 ft · 1 min · Westfield Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Midway Street

    140 m · 20 sec · Midway Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Welcome Baptist Church Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Welcome Baptist Church Road

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Hamburg Street

    2529 ft · 2 min · Hamburg Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Lovers Lane

    28 m · 6 sec · Lovers Lane

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East Pine Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Pine Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Pine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
80.1 mi · 61%
John Gold Memorial Expressway
20.9 mi · 16%
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
11.1 mi · 8%
Salem Parkway
6.54 mi · 5%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 3%
South Andy Griffith Parkway
2.38 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Dan K. Moore Frwy.

Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

59.8 mi · 01h 09m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20 mi
111.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greensboro
01h 19m from Cary
Leave By
1:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Flat Rock.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cary to Flat Rock?

The road trip is about 131.5 miles (211.6 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?

Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.7 miles from Cary and 65.8 miles from Flat Rock.

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

The direct path is about 111.5 miles (179.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 1:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.38 one way or $36.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Flat Rock.

Stop Ideas Near Greensboro

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Greensboro, 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 Greensboro.

RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

4 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

23 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Burlington

32 mi away
101 North Main Street
BUS

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

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Flat Rock. Straight-line distance: 111.52 mi (179.48 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Flat Rock

Township in Surry County, North Carolina

Population1,556
Coordinates36.5123600, -80.5697800
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Flat Rock (-80.56978, 36.51236)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 212 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.64 gal
17.56 L · about $18.38
Round trip
$36.76
9.28 gal · 35.12 L
Estimated CO2
41.2 kg one way
Round trip: 82.5 kg / 182 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.38 $36.76
Mid-grade $4.43 $20.55 $41.10
Premium $4.78 $22.17 $44.34
Diesel $5.62 $26.10 $52.19

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Cary and Flat Rock. The current time is 15:31:24.

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.