How far is Cary, NC from Lake Lure, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Lake Lure, NC is about 236.1 miles (379.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.9 miles (312.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 37m 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 48m.
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.
City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Lake Lure.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Lake Lure.
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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 right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
121.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 221: Marion, Rutherfordton
1132 ft · 32 sec
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
831 ft · 13 sec · North Main Street
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11
Continue on US 221
3.9 mi · 5 min · US 221
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12
Turn right onto Mud Cut Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Mud Cut Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sugar Hill Road
140 m · 7 sec · Sugar Hill Road
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14
Continue on Montford Cove Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · Montford Cove Road
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15
Continue on Cove Road
6.2 mi · 10 min · Cove Road
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16
Turn right onto Freeman Town Road
1.1 km · 3 min · Freeman Town Road
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17
Keep slight left to continue on McEntire Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · McEntire Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto McEntire Road
1.6 km · 1 min · McEntire Road
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19
Turn right onto Chimney Rock Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Chimney Rock Road
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20
Continue on Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 4 min · Memorial Highway
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21
Turn right onto Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Memorial Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Lake Lure.
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 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
122 mi · 02h 17m
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 Lake Lure.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Lake Lure?
The road trip is about 236.1 miles (379.9 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?
Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.9 miles from Cary and 118.2 miles from Lake Lure.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.9 miles (312.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 7:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.00 one way or $65.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Lake Lure.
Stop Ideas Near Mocksville
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 Mocksville.
Salisbury
Lexington
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Lake Lure. Straight-line distance: 193.94 mi (312.12 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Lure
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 1,153 |
| Coordinates | 35.4279000, -82.2048300 |
| Altitude | 337 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Lure (-82.20483, 35.4279)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.00 | $65.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.89 | $73.79 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.80 | $79.60 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $46.85 | $93.70 |
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.