How far is Cary, NC from Plymouth, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Plymouth, NC is about 132.5 miles (213.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114 miles (183.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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
132.48 mi
02h 34m
Flight
113.98 mi
183.43 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
113.98 mi
Kilometers
183.43 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
132.48 mi
Kilometers
213.2 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Plymouth
Sun, Apr 19, 7:41 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 10:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-19T05:07
Arrive Plymouth
Sun, Apr 19, 7:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:22 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
Rocky Mount
NC

The most populous city in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

From Cary
66.2 mi
01h 17m
To Plymouth
66.3 mi
01h 17m

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
86°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Academy Street

    7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1232 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  5. 5

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  7. 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

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    79.6 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  9. 9

    Turn right

    19.7 mi · 28 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    3104 ft · 1 min · Washington Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    677 ft · 31 sec · East Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn left

    57 m · 19 sec

  13. 13

    Turn uturn

    58 m · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
99.5 mi · 75%
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.05 mi · 5%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.16 mi · 2%
Chapel Hill Road
2.25 mi · 2%
Washington Street
0.59 mi
East Main Street
0.13 mi
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

79.6 mi · 01h 26m

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
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
114 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rocky Mount
01h 17m from Cary
Leave By
1:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plymouth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 132.5 miles (213.2 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?

Rocky Mount is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.2 miles from Cary and 66.3 miles from Plymouth.

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

The direct path is about 114 miles (183.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 1:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.54 one way or $37.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plymouth.

Stop Ideas Near Rocky Mount

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

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

RAIL

Rocky Mount

1 mi away
101 Hammond Street
RAIL

Wilson

26 mi away
401 East Nash Street
BUS

Greenville, NC

52 mi away
Second and Reade Streets
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

63 mi away
500 East Railroad Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Plymouth. Straight-line distance: 113.98 mi (183.43 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

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

#2 Plymouth

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population3,332
Coordinates35.8668300, -76.7485600
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Plymouth (-76.74856, 35.86683)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 213 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.68 gal
17.7 L · about $18.54
Round trip
$37.07
9.36 gal · 35.4 L
Estimated CO2
41.6 kg one way
Round trip: 83.2 kg / 183 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.54 $37.07
Mid-grade $4.43 $20.73 $41.46
Premium $4.78 $22.36 $44.72
Diesel $5.62 $26.32 $52.64

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 Plymouth. The current time is 05:07:23.

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.