How far is Cary, NC from Ranlo, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Ranlo, NC is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
175.9 mi
03h 24m
Flight
136.61 mi
219.86 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.61 mi
Kilometers
219.86 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.9 mi
Kilometers
283.08 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 03h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ranlo
Wed, Apr 15, 7:21 PM EDT
Return by in Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 10:45 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-15T15:56
Arrive Ranlo
Wed, Apr 15, 7:21 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:12 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cary
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Trinity
NC

City in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States

From Cary
87.9 mi
01h 42m
To Ranlo
88 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph SW
Destination
88°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Academy Street

    7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1937 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

    5.4 mi · 6 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    97.6 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Cox Road, Ranlo

    1478 ft · 38 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Cox Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Cox Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Spencer Mountain Road

    2786 ft · 56 sec · Spencer Mountain Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Ranlo Avenue

    13 m · 2 sec · Ranlo Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Ranlo Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 Business South
103 mi · 59%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
67.5 mi · 38%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 2%
Cox Road
1.23 mi · 1%
Spencer Mountain Road
0.53 mi
Chapel Hill Road
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

I 85 Business South

Keep slight left

97.6 mi · 01h 50m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.3 mi
136.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Trinity
01h 42m from Cary
Leave By
10:12 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Ranlo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km) and usually takes 03h 24m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Trinity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.9 miles from Cary and 88 miles from Ranlo.

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

The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:12 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.60 one way or $49.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Ranlo.

Stop Ideas Near Trinity

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

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

RAIL

High Point

7 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

23 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

Lexington

25 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

30 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Ranlo. Straight-line distance: 136.61 mi (219.86 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

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

#2 Ranlo

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

Population3,708
Coordinates35.2862500, -81.1303500
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Ranlo (-81.13035, 35.28625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.21 gal
23.5 L · about $24.60
Round trip
$49.20
12.42 gal · 47 L
Estimated CO2
55.2 kg one way
Round trip: 110.4 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.60 $49.20
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.50 $55.01
Premium $4.78 $29.67 $59.34
Diesel $5.62 $34.93 $69.85

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

There is no time difference between Cary and Ranlo. The current time is 15:56:38.

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.