How far is Cary, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.1 miles (13 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 14m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
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 Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Raleigh.
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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
78 m · 6 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Turn slight right onto East Durham Road
2436 ft · 50 sec · East Durham Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Chatham Street
43 m · 3 sec · East Chatham Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto East Chatham Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chatham Street
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6
Continue on Hillsborough Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Hillsborough Street
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7
Continue on Western Boulevard
2628 ft · 52 sec · Western Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Western Boulevard
4.3 mi · 8 min · Western Boulevard
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9
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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10
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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11
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Raleigh.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Western Boulevard
Keep slight right to continue on Western Boulevard
4.32 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km) and usually takes 00h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.3 miles from Cary and 7.2 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.1 miles (13 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.62 one way or $3.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near West Raleigh
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Raleigh.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 8.1 mi (13.04 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 19 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.62 | $3.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $1.82 | $3.63 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $1.96 | $3.92 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $2.31 | $4.61 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.