How far is Cary, NC from Pumpkin Center, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Pumpkin Center, NC is about 128 miles (206 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.3 miles (169.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m 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 39m.
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.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Pumpkin Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Pumpkin Center.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 7 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1232 ft · 26 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
1701 ft · 48 sec
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11
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
6 mi · 8 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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12
Turn right
23 mi · 33 min
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13
Turn left onto West Franck Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Franck Street
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14
Continue on Gum Branch Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · Gum Branch Road
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15
Turn left onto Ramsey Road
5 mi · 8 min · Ramsey Road
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16
Turn right onto Drummer Kellum Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Drummer Kellum Road
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17
Turn right onto New Bern Highway
62 m · 3 sec · New Bern Highway
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18
Take the exit slight left
599 ft · 23 sec
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19
Turn left onto New Bern Highway
767 ft · 14 sec · New Bern Highway
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20
Turn right
14 m · 2 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Pumpkin Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Pumpkin Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Pumpkin Center?
The road trip is about 128 miles (206 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64 miles from Cary and 64 miles from Pumpkin Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.3 miles (169.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 1:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.90 one way or $35.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Pumpkin Center.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Pumpkin Center. Straight-line distance: 105.29 mi (169.44 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pumpkin Center
Township in Onslow County, North Carolina
| Population | 2,222 |
| Coordinates | 34.7915500, -77.3724600 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pumpkin Center (-77.37246, 34.79155)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $17.90 | $35.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.02 | $40.04 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $21.60 | $43.19 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $25.42 | $50.84 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.