How far is Cary, NC from Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Lake Waccamaw, NC is about 135 miles (217.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103 miles (165.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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 52m.
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 Cumberland County, North Carolina
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 Lake Waccamaw.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Lake Waccamaw.
-
1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street
-
2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
-
3
Take the ramp slight right
1232 ft · 27 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
-
5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
14.4 mi · 15 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
3110 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
25.3 mi · 29 min
-
12
Keep slight left
6.1 mi · 7 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward NC 53, NC 210: Fayetteville
1419 ft · 35 sec
-
14
Keep slight left
52 m · 6 sec
-
15
Turn left onto Cedar Creek Road
7.3 mi · 11 min · Cedar Creek Road
-
16
Continue on Cedar Creek Road
23.7 mi · 33 min · Cedar Creek Road
-
17
Turn right
3.5 mi · 6 min
-
18
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 13 min
-
19
Turn left
33 m · 2 sec
-
20
Turn straight onto James B White Highway
881 ft · 15 sec · James B White Highway
-
21
Turn right onto Red Hill Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Red Hill Road
-
22
Continue on Red Hill Road
7.6 mi · 10 min · Red Hill Road
-
23
Continue straight
675 ft · 17 sec
-
24
Turn left
2029 ft · 50 sec
-
25
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
26
Take the exit slight right
2213 ft · 54 sec
-
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Chauncey Town Road
6 m · 1 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
28
Exit the roundabout onto Chauncey Town Road
2216 ft · 50 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
29
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sam Potts Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sam Potts Highway
-
30
Turn right onto Pecan Lane
1064 ft · 48 sec · Pecan Lane
-
31
Turn right onto West Oak Street
11 m · 2 sec · West Oak Street
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Lake Waccamaw.
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-95 South
Merge slight left
25.3 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Lake Waccamaw.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Lake Waccamaw?
The road trip is about 135 miles (217.3 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Vander is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from Cary and 67.5 miles from Lake Waccamaw.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103 miles (165.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32 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 12:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.89 one way or $37.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Lake Waccamaw.
Stop Ideas Near Vander
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 Vander.
Fayetteville
Southern Pines
Selma–Smithfield
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Lake Waccamaw. Straight-line distance: 102.97 mi (165.72 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Waccamaw
Town in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,392 |
| Coordinates | 34.3190600, -78.5000100 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Waccamaw (-78.50001, 34.31906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.89 | $37.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.13 | $42.25 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.79 | $45.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.83 | $53.65 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.