How far is Cary, NC from Rutherfordton, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Rutherfordton, NC is about 217.8 miles (350.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.8 miles (291 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
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 Rutherfordton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Rutherfordton.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
1937 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
59.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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6
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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7
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
103.2 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Morganton, Rutherfordton
1262 ft · 38 sec
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10
Turn left onto Burkemont Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Burkemont Avenue
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11
Continue on Rutherford Road
27.9 mi · 39 min · Rutherford Road
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12
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
2639 ft · 42 sec · Railroad Avenue
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13
Turn sharp right onto Green Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Green Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
1414 ft · 48 sec · North Main Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Rutherfordton.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
103 mi · 01h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Rutherfordton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Rutherfordton?
The road trip is about 217.8 miles (350.5 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Bermuda Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.8 miles from Cary and 109.1 miles from Rutherfordton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.8 miles (291 km), while the road route adds roughly 37 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 8:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.42 one way or $60.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Rutherfordton.
Stop Ideas Near Bermuda Run
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 Bermuda Run.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Lexington
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Rutherfordton. Straight-line distance: 180.81 mi (290.99 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rutherfordton
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,090 |
| Coordinates | 35.3692900, -81.9567700 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rutherfordton (-81.95677, 35.36929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 351 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.42 | $60.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.01 | $68.03 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.70 | $73.39 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.19 | $86.38 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.