How far is Cary, NC from Northlakes, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Northlakes, NC is about 174.5 miles (280.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.4 miles (234 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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, United States of America
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 Northlakes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Northlakes.
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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
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4
Take the ramp left
1937 ft · 41 sec
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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
7.7 mi · 9 min
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7
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
83 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
1102 ft · 27 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 321 North: Lenoir
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
5 mi · 8 min
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12
Turn right onto River Bend Drive
1307 ft · 41 sec · River Bend Drive
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13
Turn left
2961 ft · 2 min
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Riverbend Drive
13 m · 2 sec · Riverbend Drive
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Riverbend Drive
1219 ft · 58 sec · Riverbend Drive
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16
Turn left onto Gunpowder View Circle
589 ft · 28 sec · Gunpowder View Circle
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17
Turn right onto Blackhawk Ridge Way
935 ft · 45 sec · Blackhawk Ridge Way
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto River Bend Drive
1248 ft · 55 sec · River Bend Drive
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19
Turn slight right onto White Fawn Circle
717 ft · 33 sec · White Fawn Circle
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20
Turn right onto Woodmere Point
153 m · 22 sec · Woodmere Point
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Woodmere Point
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Northlakes.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
83 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Northlakes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Northlakes?
The road trip is about 174.5 miles (280.9 km) and usually takes 03h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kernersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Cary and 87.4 miles from Northlakes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.4 miles (234 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Northlakes.
Stop Ideas Near Kernersville
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 Kernersville.
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Northlakes. Straight-line distance: 145.39 mi (233.98 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Northlakes
Township in Caldwell County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,534 |
| Coordinates | 35.7818000, -81.3750900 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northlakes (-81.37509, 35.7818)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.28 | $54.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.64 | $69.29 |
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.