How far is Cary, NC from Murphy, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Murphy, NC is about 350.3 miles (563.7 km), with a travel time of about 07h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 299.7 miles (482.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Burke County, 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 Murphy.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Murphy.
-
1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street
-
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road
-
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.
-
6
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
-
7
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
-
9
Keep slight left
25.5 mi · 32 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
22 mi · 29 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
21.9 mi · 26 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
-
12
Continue on Appalachian Highway
5.3 mi · 7 min · Appalachian Highway
-
13
Continue on West Highway 19
4 mi · 5 min · West Highway 19
-
14
Turn right
34 mi · 46 min
-
15
Turn right onto Peachtree Street
2943 ft · 2 min · Peachtree Street
-
16
Turn right
19 m · 6 sec
-
17
Turn left
18 m · 7 sec
-
18
Turn left
18 m · 3 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Hiwassee Street
36 m · 5 sec · Hiwassee Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hiwassee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Murphy.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153 mi · 02h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Murphy.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Murphy?
The road trip is about 350.3 miles (563.7 km) and usually takes 07h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Icard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.9 miles from Cary and 175.4 miles from Murphy.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 299.7 miles (482.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.6 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.96 one way or $97.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Murphy.
Stop Ideas Near Icard
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 Icard.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Murphy. Straight-line distance: 299.67 mi (482.27 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Murphy
Town in Cherokee County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,666 |
| Coordinates | 35.0875800, -84.0346300 |
| Altitude | 486 |
| Country | United States |
End: Murphy (-84.03463, 35.08758)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 564 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $48.96 | $97.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $54.74 | $109.48 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $59.06 | $118.11 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $69.51 | $139.03 |
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.