How far is Cary, NC from Pilot Mountain, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Pilot Mountain, NC is about 120.2 miles (193.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.8 miles (165.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m 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 02h 24m.
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.
Human settlement in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Pilot Mountain.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Pilot Mountain.
-
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 right to continue on Salem Parkway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Salem Parkway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 74 West
1.3 km · 2 min
-
10
Continue on Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on US 52 North: Mount Airy
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway
14.8 mi · 17 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward NC 268: Pilot Mountain, Elkin
952 ft · 23 sec
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Key Street
6 m · 1 sec · South Key Street
-
15
Exit the roundabout onto South Key Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Key Street
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Key Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Pilot Mountain.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
59.8 mi · 01h 09m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pilot Mountain.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Pilot Mountain?
The road trip is about 120.2 miles (193.5 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Sedalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.1 miles from Cary and 60.2 miles from Pilot Mountain.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.8 miles (165.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 1:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.79 one way or $33.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pilot Mountain.
Stop Ideas Near Sedalia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Graham City Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sedalia.
Burlington
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Pilot Mountain. Straight-line distance: 102.84 mi (165.51 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pilot Mountain
City in Piedmont Triad, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,408 |
| Coordinates | 36.3865300, -80.4695000 |
| Altitude | 352 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pilot Mountain (-80.4695, 36.38653)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.79 | $33.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.26 | $40.52 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.85 | $47.69 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.