How far is Cary, NC from Lowell, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Lowell, NC is about 172.7 miles (278 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m 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 20m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Lowell.
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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
95 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: Lowell, McAdenville
1081 ft · 31 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on NC 7: Lowell, McAdenville
94 m · 12 sec
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11
Turn right onto McAdenville Road
3275 ft · 1 min · McAdenville Road
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12
Turn left onto North Main Street
709 ft · 28 sec · North Main Street
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13
Turn right onto West 1st Street
685 ft · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Lowell.
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 85 Business South
Keep slight left
95 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Lowell?
The road trip is about 172.7 miles (278 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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 86.3 miles from Cary and 86.4 miles from Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.5 miles (218 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 10:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.12 one way or $48.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Lowell.
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 Lowell. Straight-line distance: 135.47 mi (218.01 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lowell
City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 35.2679200, -81.1028500 |
| Altitude | 249 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lowell (-81.10285, 35.26792)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.12 | $48.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.97 | $53.95 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.10 | $58.20 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.25 | $68.50 |
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.