How far is Cary, NC from River Road, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to River Road, NC is about 118.5 miles (190.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.4 miles (164.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m 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 24m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and River Road.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and River Road.
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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 · 27 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 left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
2.8 mi · 3 min
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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
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8
Keep slight right
55.9 mi · 1 hr
-
9
Turn straight onto Stantonsburg Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Stantonsburg Road
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10
Turn left onto South Memorial Drive
2 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Drive
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11
Turn right onto Airport Road
1941 ft · 40 sec · Airport Road
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12
Continue on Mumford Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Mumford Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Pactolus Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Pactolus Highway
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14
Continue straight
18.1 mi · 25 min
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15
Turn right onto East 5th Street
1389 ft · 36 sec · East 5th Street
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16
Turn right onto North Brown Street
931 ft · 26 sec · North Brown Street
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17
Turn left onto Park Drive
2677 ft · 1 min · Park Drive
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18
Continue on Captain Patrick "Oly" Olsen Memorial Bridge
139 m · 11 sec · Captain Patrick "Oly" Olsen Memorial Bridge
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19
Continue on River Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · River Road
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20
Turn left onto Ross Road
78 m · 11 sec · Ross Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ross Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and River Road.
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 87 North
Keep slight right
55.9 mi · 01h 00m
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 Sunny near River Road.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to River Road?
The road trip is about 118.5 miles (190.7 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Black Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.2 miles from Cary and 59.3 miles from River Road.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.4 miles (164.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 1:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.56 one way or $33.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Sunny near River Road.
Stop Ideas Near Black Creek
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 Black Creek.
Wilson
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Rocky Mount
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and River Road. Straight-line distance: 102.43 mi (164.84 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 River Road
Township in Beaufort County, North Carolina
| Population | 4,394 |
| Coordinates | 35.5068300, -76.9907800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Road (-76.99078, 35.50683)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 191 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 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 | $16.56 | $33.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.51 | $37.03 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $19.97 | $39.94 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.51 | $47.02 |
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.