How far is Cary, NC from Holly Ridge, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Holly Ridge, NC is about 134.4 miles (216.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.2 miles (182.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Holly Ridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Holly Ridge.
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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 · 27 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 left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
1701 ft · 48 sec
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11
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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12
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
1.5 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
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13
Turn right
10.6 mi · 15 min
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14
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 3 min
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15
Turn right
3 mi · 4 min
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16
Continue on Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi · 13 min · Cypress Creek Road
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17
Turn left onto Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Sycamore Springs Road
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18
Continue on Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Maple Hill Road North
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19
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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20
Turn right
12.2 mi · 17 min
-
21
Turn right onto Wilmington Highway
30 m · 2 sec · Wilmington Highway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wilmington Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Holly Ridge.
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 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 01h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Holly Ridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Holly Ridge?
The road trip is about 134.4 miles (216.3 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.2 miles from Cary and 67.2 miles from Holly Ridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.2 miles (182.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.78 one way or $37.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Holly Ridge.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
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Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Holly Ridge. Straight-line distance: 113.22 mi (182.21 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Holly Ridge
City in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 3,092 |
| Coordinates | 34.4954400, -77.5549700 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
End: Holly Ridge (-77.55497, 34.49544)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.78 | $37.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.99 | $41.99 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.65 | $45.30 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.66 | $53.32 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.