How far is Cary, NC from Mount Olive, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Mount Olive, NC is about 72 miles (115.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 57.5 miles (92.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m 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 01h 28m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Mount Olive.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Mount Olive.
-
1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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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
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5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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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
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9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
27.8 mi · 30 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 50, NC 55: Newton Grove
1194 ft · 29 sec
-
11
Keep slight left
37 m · 11 sec
-
12
Turn left onto Harnett-Dunn Highway
2014 ft · 38 sec · Harnett-Dunn Highway
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13
Continue on Raleigh Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Raleigh Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward West Weeks Circle
96 m · 8 sec · Mt Olive Drive
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15
Exit the rotary onto Mt Olive Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Mt Olive Drive
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16
Continue on Mt Olive Highway
13.8 mi · 19 min · Mt Olive Highway
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17
Turn slight right onto Old Smith Chapel Road
2 mi · 3 min · Old Smith Chapel Road
-
18
Turn left
1.3 km · 1 min
-
19
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · West Main Street
-
20
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
137 m · 13 sec · Chestnut Street
-
21
Turn right onto West James Street
111 m · 18 sec · West James Street
-
22
Turn right onto Northwest Center Street
6 m · 1 sec · Northwest Center Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Mount Olive.
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 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
27.8 mi · 00h 30m
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 Mount Olive.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Mount Olive?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.9 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?
Benson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36 miles from Cary and 36 miles from Mount Olive.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 57.5 miles (92.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 3:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.06 one way or $20.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Mount Olive.
Stop Ideas Near Benson
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 Benson.
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
Fayetteville
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Mount Olive. Straight-line distance: 57.5 mi (92.54 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Mount Olive
City in Illinois
| Population | 4,728 |
| Coordinates | 35.1965500, -78.0663800 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Olive (-78.06638, 35.19655)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.06 | $20.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $11.25 | $22.50 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $12.14 | $24.27 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $14.28 | $28.57 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.