How far is Cary, NC from Glen Alpine, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Glen Alpine, NC is about 192.9 miles (310.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m 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
192.85 mi
03h 46m
Flight
168.15 mi
270.61 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
168.15 mi
Kilometers
270.61 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
192.85 mi
Kilometers
310.36 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Glen Alpine
Thu, Apr 23, 10:39 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Thu, Apr 23, 2:26 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-23T06:52
Arrive Glen Alpine
Thu, Apr 23, 10:39 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM EDT

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

Leave by
9:26 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
Winston-Salem
NC

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

From Cary
96.3 mi
01h 53m
To Glen Alpine
96.6 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Glen Alpine.

  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

    106.5 mi · 2 hr 1 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Glen Alpine

    1107 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Jamestown Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Jamestown Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Conley Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Conley Road

  12. 12

    Continue on London Street

    1 km · 1 min · London Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Catawba Street

    116 m · 15 sec · Catawba Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Pitts Street

    15 m · 1 sec · Pitts Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pitts Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
107 mi · 55%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
80.1 mi · 42%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 2%
Conley Road
0.82 mi
Jamestown Road
0.74 mi
London Street
0.65 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

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

107 mi · 02h 01m

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
03h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.8 mi
168.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Winston-Salem
01h 53m from Cary
Leave By
9:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Glen Alpine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cary to Glen Alpine?

The road trip is about 192.9 miles (310.4 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Winston-Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.3 miles from Cary and 96.6 miles from Glen Alpine.

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

The direct path is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 9:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.97 one way or $53.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Glen Alpine.

Stop Ideas Near Winston-Salem

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

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

BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

1 mi away
100 West 5th Street
BUS

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

2 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
RAIL

High Point

27 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Lexington

31 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Glen Alpine. Straight-line distance: 168.15 mi (270.61 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Glen Alpine

#2 Glen Alpine

Town of the United States

Population1,487
Coordinates35.7290200, -81.7792700
Altitude370
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Glen Alpine (-81.77927, 35.72902)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 310 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.81 gal
25.76 L · about $26.97
Round trip
$53.95
13.62 gal · 51.52 L
Estimated CO2
60.5 kg one way
Round trip: 121 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.97 $53.95
Mid-grade $4.43 $30.16 $60.32
Premium $4.78 $32.54 $65.08
Diesel $5.62 $38.30 $76.60

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

There is no time difference between Cary and Glen Alpine. The current time is 06:52:31.

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.