How far is Cary, NC from Madison, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Madison, NC is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m 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 01m.
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.
City in North Carolina
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 Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Madison.
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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
-
4
Take the ramp left
1937 ft · 41 sec
-
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
1871 ft · 25 sec
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 785 North, I 840 West
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop
13.6 mi · 16 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 220: Battleground Avenue
1704 ft · 42 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 220 North
124 m · 14 sec
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11
Turn right onto Battleground Avenue
3.9 mi · 6 min · Battleground Avenue
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Battleground Avenue
7.7 mi · 10 min · Battleground Avenue
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13
Keep slight right
1208 ft · 18 sec
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14
Keep slight right
5.5 mi · 8 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right
680 ft · 23 sec
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16
Turn right
126 m · 12 sec
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17
Turn straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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18
Turn right onto South Market Street
7 m · 1 sec · South Market Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Madison.
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 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 Mostly Sunny near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Madison?
The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Graham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Cary and 48.8 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 2:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.63 one way or $27.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Graham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Graham City Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Graham.
Burlington
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Durham
High Point
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Madison. Straight-line distance: 77.54 mi (124.79 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Madison
Town located in Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 2,108 |
| Coordinates | 36.3854200, -79.9594900 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-79.95949, 36.38542)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $13.63 | $27.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.24 | $30.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.44 | $32.87 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.35 | $38.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.