How far is Cary, NC from Pinehurst, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Pinehurst, NC is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
185.21 mi
03h 51m
Flight
158.34 mi
254.82 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.34 mi
Kilometers
254.82 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.21 mi
Kilometers
298.07 km
Drive Time
03h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pinehurst
Sat, Apr 18, 7:03 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Sat, Apr 18, 10:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-18T03:12
Arrive Pinehurst
Sat, Apr 18, 7:03 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:18 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cary
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Wallburg
NC

Human settlement in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Cary
92.5 mi
01h 55m
To Pinehurst
92.7 mi
01h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
90°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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.

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

    18 mi · 21 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville

    1087 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 421 North: Yadkinville

    3269 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    48.3 mi · 56 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 16 South, NC 18: Wilkesboro, Taylorsville, Lenoir

    860 ft · 21 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Cherry Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · South Cherry Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    24.3 mi · 35 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Morganton Boulevard Southwest

    6.4 mi · 11 min · Morganton Boulevard Southwest

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Calico Road

    973 ft · 29 sec · Calico Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Turtle Dove Street

    148 m · 21 sec · Turtle Dove Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Turtle Dove Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
80.1 mi · 43%
US 421 North
48.9 mi · 26%
I 40 West
18 mi · 10%
Morganton Boulevard Southwest
6.37 mi · 3%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 2%
South Cherry Street
3.17 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 51m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.9 mi
158.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wallburg
01h 55m from Cary
Leave By
9:18 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Pinehurst.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?

Wallburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Cary and 92.7 miles from Pinehurst.

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

The direct path is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 9:18 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.90 one way or $51.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Pinehurst.

Stop Ideas Near Wallburg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wallburg, 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 Wallburg.

BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

12 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
RAIL

High Point

13 mi away
100 West High St
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

13 mi away
100 West 5th Street
RAIL

Lexington

23 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Pinehurst. Straight-line distance: 158.34 mi (254.82 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

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

#2 Pinehurst

Village in North Carolina

Population17,014
Coordinates35.8526300, -81.6064900
Altitude329
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Pinehurst (-81.60649, 35.85263)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 298 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.54 gal
24.74 L · about $25.90
Round trip
$51.81
13.08 gal · 49.48 L
Estimated CO2
58.1 kg one way
Round trip: 116.2 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.90 $51.81
Mid-grade $4.43 $28.97 $57.93
Premium $4.78 $31.25 $62.50
Diesel $5.62 $36.78 $73.56

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

There is no time difference between Cary and Pinehurst. The current time is 03:12:44.

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.