How far is Cary, NC from Princeville, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Princeville, NC is about 82.4 miles (132.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70.3 miles (113.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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
82.37 mi
01h 33m
Flight
70.28 mi
113.1 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
70.28 mi
Kilometers
113.1 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
82.37 mi
Kilometers
132.56 km
Drive Time
01h 33m

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 01h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Princeville
Sun, Apr 19, 7:11 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 8:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-19T05:38
Arrive Princeville
Sun, Apr 19, 7:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:24 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
Spring Hope
NC

City in Nash County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Cary
41.1 mi
00h 46m
To Princeville
41.3 mi
00h 46m

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
83°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    49.3 mi · 53 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 258 North, NC 111 North, NC 122 North: Princeville, Scotland Neck

    1 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Mutual Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
69.3 mi · 84%
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.05 mi · 9%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.16 mi · 4%
Chapel Hill Road
2.25 mi · 3%
US 258 North
0.63 mi · 1%
North Academy Street
0 mi
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

49.3 mi · 00h 53m

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
01h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.1 mi
70.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Spring Hope
00h 46m from Cary
Leave By
3:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 82.4 miles (132.6 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?

Spring Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.1 miles from Cary and 41.3 miles from Princeville.

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

The direct path is about 70.3 miles (113.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.53 one way or $23.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeville.

Stop Ideas Near Spring Hope

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

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

RAIL

Rocky Mount

28 mi away
101 Hammond Street
RAIL

Wilson

31 mi away
401 East Nash Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

48 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

52 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Princeville. Straight-line distance: 70.28 mi (113.1 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

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

#2 Princeville

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,901
Coordinates35.8896000, -77.5321900
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Princeville (-77.53219, 35.8896)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 133 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.91 gal
11 L · about $11.53
Round trip
$23.05
5.82 gal · 22 L
Estimated CO2
25.9 kg one way
Round trip: 51.7 kg / 114 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $11.53 $23.05
Mid-grade $4.43 $12.89 $25.78
Premium $4.78 $13.90 $27.81
Diesel $5.62 $16.37 $32.73

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 Princeville. The current time is 05:38:18.

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.