How far is Cary, NC from Norlina, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Norlina, NC is about 70 miles (112.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
70.01 mi
01h 22m
Flight
55.69 mi
89.62 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.69 mi
Kilometers
89.62 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.01 mi
Kilometers
112.67 km
Drive Time
01h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norlina
Sun, Apr 19, 1:51 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 3:13 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-19T00:28
Arrive Norlina
Sun, Apr 19, 1:51 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cary
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Stem
NC

Town in Granville County, North Carolina, United States

From Cary
35 mi
00h 41m
To Norlina
35 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W
Destination
79°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Norlina.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Norlina.

  1. 1

    Start on North Academy Street

    7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1937 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham

    1 km · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on East End Connector

    3.7 mi · 4 min · East End Connector

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85 North, US 15 North: Henderson, Petersburg

    1565 ft · 38 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    36.6 mi · 40 min

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    4.9 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 158: Norlina

    1002 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left

    8.6 mi · 11 min

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Norlina.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 North
36.9 mi · 53%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
7.18 mi · 10%
Durham Freeway
4.12 mi · 6%
East End Connector
3.75 mi · 5%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 5%
I 885 North
0.64 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 85 North

Merge slight left

36.6 mi · 00h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.3 mi
55.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stem
00h 41m from Cary
Leave By
3:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Chance Rain Showers near Norlina.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cary to Norlina?

The road trip is about 70 miles (112.7 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?

Stem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35 miles from Cary and 35 miles from Norlina.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 3:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.78 one way or $19.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Chance Rain Showers near Norlina.

Stop Ideas Near Stem

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Stem, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stem.

RAIL

Durham

28 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

45 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

46 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

48 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Norlina. Straight-line distance: 55.69 mi (89.62 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Norlina

#2 Norlina

City in Warren County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,040
Coordinates36.4457000, -78.1983300
Altitude129
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Norlina (-78.19833, 36.4457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.47 gal
9.35 L · about $9.78
Round trip
$19.57
4.94 gal · 18.7 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 43.9 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $9.78 $19.57
Mid-grade $4.43 $10.94 $21.88
Premium $4.78 $11.80 $23.60
Diesel $5.62 $13.89 $27.78

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

There is no time difference between Cary and Norlina. The current time is 00:28:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.