How far is Cary, NC from Polkton, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Polkton, NC is about 118 miles (189.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.6 miles (155.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Polkton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Polkton.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
3087 ft · 2 min · North Academy Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dry Avenue
67 m · 5 sec · Dry Avenue
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3
Continue on Kildaire Farm Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Kildaire Farm Road
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4
Turn left onto Southeast Cary Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · Southeast Cary Parkway
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford
1286 ft · 31 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
20.3 mi · 22 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway
23 mi · 27 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right
3281 ft · 47 sec
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9
Merge slight left
43.4 mi · 53 min
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10
Turn right onto East Green Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Green Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Avenue
15.5 mi · 21 min · Broad Avenue
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12
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street
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13
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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14
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
2972 ft · 50 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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16
Turn right onto Williams Street
1656 ft · 40 sec · Williams Street
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17
Turn sharp right onto Freemont Street
880 ft · 43 sec · Freemont Street
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18
Turn left onto Ashe Street
545 ft · 28 sec · Ashe Street
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19
Turn left
31 m · 7 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Polkton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jefferson Davis Highway
Merge slight left
43.4 mi · 00h 53m
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 Sunny near Polkton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Polkton?
The road trip is about 118 miles (189.9 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?
Southern Pines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59 miles from Cary and 59 miles from Polkton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.6 miles (155.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 1:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Polkton.
Stop Ideas Near Southern Pines
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 Southern Pines.
Southern Pines
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Polkton. Straight-line distance: 96.57 mi (155.42 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Polkton
City in Anson County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,288 |
| Coordinates | 35.0076500, -80.2008900 |
| Altitude | 99 |
| Country | United States |
End: Polkton (-80.20089, 35.00765)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 190 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.48 | $32.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.42 | $36.85 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $19.88 | $39.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.40 | $46.79 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.