How far is Cary, NC from Nashville, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Nashville, NC is about 55.1 miles (88.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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 03m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Nashville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Nashville.
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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
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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 left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
2.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
17.2 mi · 19 min
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8
Keep slight left
21.8 mi · 23 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 58: Nashville, Castalia
1080 ft · 27 sec
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10
Turn right
3165 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto North Alston Street
12 m · 2 sec · North Alston Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Alston Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Nashville.
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 87 North
Keep slight left
21.8 mi · 00h 23m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Nashville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Nashville?
The road trip is about 55.1 miles (88.6 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Wendell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.5 miles from Cary and 27.6 miles from Nashville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 4:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.68 one way or $15.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Nashville.
Stop Ideas Near Wendell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Clayton Utilities
City Of Raleigh Fleet Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wendell.
Raleigh Union Station
Selma–Smithfield
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 47.37 mi (76.24 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nashville
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,572 |
| Coordinates | 35.9746000, -77.9655400 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nashville (-77.96554, 35.9746)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.68 | $15.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.27 | $18.54 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
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.