How far is Cary, NC from Forest City, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Forest City, NC is about 220.4 miles (354.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.2 miles (283.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m 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 04h 21m.
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 North Carolina
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 Forest City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Forest 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
12 mi · 17 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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13
Take the ramp straight toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.2 mi · 14 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
895 ft · 34 sec
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15
Turn left onto South Broadway Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Broadway Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
989 ft · 46 sec · East Main Street
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17
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
17 m · 2 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Forest 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Forest City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Forest City?
The road trip is about 220.4 miles (354.7 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?
Spencer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.1 miles from Cary and 110.3 miles from Forest City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.2 miles (283.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.2 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 8:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.82 one way or $61.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Forest City.
Stop Ideas Near Spencer
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 Spencer.
Salisbury
Lexington
Kannapolis
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Forest City. Straight-line distance: 176.19 mi (283.55 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest City
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,138 |
| Coordinates | 35.3340100, -81.8651000 |
| Altitude | 309 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest City (-81.8651, 35.33401)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.46 | $68.92 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $37.17 | $74.35 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.75 | $87.51 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.