How far is Cary, NC from Harkers Island, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Harkers Island, NC is about 172.4 miles (277.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in North Carolina, United States of America
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 Harkers Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Harkers Island.
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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 · 26 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 right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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8
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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10
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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12
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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13
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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14
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
12.4 mi · 17 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 Business East: Havelock
5 mi · 8 min
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17
Turn slight left onto Fontana Boulevard
16.1 mi · 24 min · Fontana Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto Laurel Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Laurel Road
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Merrimon Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Merrimon Road
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20
Turn left
5 mi · 7 min
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21
Turn right onto Harkers Island Road
4.5 mi · 6 min · Harkers Island Road
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22
Continue on Island Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Island Road
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23
Turn left onto Cape Lookout Drive
1.3 mi · 3 min · Cape Lookout Drive
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24
Turn slight left onto Island Road
582 ft · 25 sec · Island Road
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25
Turn left onto Old Ferry Dock Road
11 m · 2 sec · Old Ferry Dock Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Ferry Dock Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Harkers Island.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
East New Bern Road
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 00h 37m
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.
Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Harkers Island?
The road trip is about 172.4 miles (277.5 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Kinston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Cary and 86.2 miles from Harkers Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.08 one way or $48.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before leaving, the latest forecast around Cary is Sunny.
Stop Ideas Near Kinston
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 Kinston.
Kinston, NC
Goldsboro, NC
Greenville, NC
New Bern, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Harkers Island. Straight-line distance: 146.48 mi (235.73 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Harkers Island
Township in Carteret County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,207 |
| Coordinates | 34.6951600, -76.5593700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harkers Island (-76.55937, 34.69516)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.08 | $48.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.93 | $53.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.05 | $58.10 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.19 | $68.39 |
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.