How far is Cary, NC from Lincolnton, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Lincolnton, NC is about 171.9 miles (276.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.3 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.
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 Randolph County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Lincolnton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Lincolnton.
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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 left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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8
Keep slight left
50.2 mi · 54 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
1773 ft · 44 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
4 m · 1 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
593 ft · 11 sec
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
26 m · 1 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
7 m · 1 sec
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14
Keep slight right
1.3 km · 2 min
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15
Turn sharp right onto East Church Street
12 mi · 18 min · East Church Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Oakridge Farm Highway
1449 ft · 28 sec · Oakridge Farm Highway
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17
Continue on Oak Ridge Farm Highway
2.8 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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18
Continue on East Plaza Drive
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Plaza Drive
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19
Continue on River Highway
22.7 mi · 35 min · River Highway
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20
Turn right onto East Main Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
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21
Turn right onto North Laurel Street
542 ft · 24 sec · North Laurel Street
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22
Turn left onto East Pine Street
945 ft · 26 sec · East Pine Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Lincolnton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
59.8 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Chance Rain Showers near Lincolnton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Lincolnton?
The road trip is about 171.9 miles (276.6 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?
Trinity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Cary and 86.1 miles from Lincolnton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 $24.04 one way or $48.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Chance Rain Showers near Lincolnton.
Stop Ideas Near Trinity
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 Trinity.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Lexington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Lincolnton. Straight-line distance: 140.62 mi (226.31 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lincolnton
County seat in North Carolina
| Population | 11,522 |
| Coordinates | 35.4737500, -81.2545300 |
| Altitude | 254 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lincolnton (-81.25453, 35.47375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.