How far is Cary, NC from Hertford, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Hertford, NC is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.3 miles (212.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m 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
159.52 mi
03h 05m
Flight
132.31 mi
212.94 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
132.31 mi
Kilometers
212.94 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.52 mi
Kilometers
256.73 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hertford
Sat, Apr 18, 4:54 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Sat, Apr 18, 8:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-18T01:49
Arrive Hertford
Sat, Apr 18, 4:54 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 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
10:48 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

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
Tarboro
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Cary
79.7 mi
01h 32m
To Hertford
79.8 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
89°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Academy Street

    7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1232 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  5. 5

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

    17.2 mi · 19 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    80 mi · 1 hr 27 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    40 mi · 50 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    6.2 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Church Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · South Church Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West Grubb Street

    55 m · 4 sec · West Grubb Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Grubb Street

Car Route Details

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

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
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
146 mi · 92%
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.05 mi · 4%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.16 mi · 2%
Chapel Hill Road
2.25 mi · 1%
South Church Street
0.92 mi · 1%
West Grubb Street
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

80 mi · 01h 27m

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 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.2 mi
132.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tarboro
01h 32m from Cary
Leave By
10:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Hertford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?

Tarboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Cary and 79.8 miles from Hertford.

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

The direct path is about 132.3 miles (212.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 10:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.30 one way or $44.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Tarboro

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Tarboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12 mi away

Historic Town Hall

Bethel , NC
141 W Railroad St, Bethel, NC 27812
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.5 mi away

Rocky Mount Public Utilities

Rocky Mount , NC
331 S Franklin St, Rocky Mount, NC 27802
Rating 1.3/5 39 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

Hammond & City Hall - Westbound

Rocky Mount , NC
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Bus stop

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Rocky Mount

24 mi away
101 Hammond Street
BUS

Greenville, NC

35 mi away
Second and Reade Streets
RAIL

Wilson

39 mi away
401 East Nash Street
BUS

Goldsboro, NC

69 mi away
1615 East Beech Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Hertford. Straight-line distance: 132.31 mi (212.94 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

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

#2 Hertford

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population2,143
Coordinates36.1901600, -76.4660500
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Hertford (-76.46605, 36.19016)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 257 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.63 gal
21.31 L · about $22.30
Round trip
$44.60
11.26 gal · 42.62 L
Estimated CO2
50 kg one way
Round trip: 100.1 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.30 $44.60
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.94 $49.87
Premium $4.78 $26.90 $53.80
Diesel $5.62 $31.66 $63.33

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

There is no time difference between Cary and Hertford. The current time is 01:49:12.

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.