How far is Cary, NC from Saint James, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Saint James, NC is about 170.3 miles (274.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.1 miles (215.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 03h 21m.
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 Duplin County, 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 Saint James.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Saint James.
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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 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
103.3 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
1043 ft · 25 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
1.3 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
18.7 mi · 20 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
2005 ft · 49 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
8.4 mi · 12 min · Ocean Highway East
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15
Turn left onto Old Ocean Highway
1768 ft · 35 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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16
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Main Street
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17
Continue on Old Ocean Highway
2380 ft · 42 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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18
Turn left onto Midway Road Southeast
6.4 mi · 9 min · Midway Road Southeast
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19
Continue on Middleton Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · Middleton Street
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20
Turn slight left onto St James Drive Southeast
30 m · 5 sec · St James Drive Southeast
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21
Continue on St James Drive Southeast
1.9 mi · 7 min · St James Drive Southeast
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22
Continue on Trailwood Drive Southeast
111 m · 16 sec · Trailwood Drive Southeast
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23
Continue on St James Drive Southeast
3057 ft · 2 min · St James Drive Southeast
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward St James Drive Southeast
75 m · 12 sec · St James Drive Southeast
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25
Exit the roundabout onto St James Drive Southeast
1430 ft · 1 min · St James Drive Southeast
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26
Turn left
36 m · 9 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Saint James.
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
103 mi · 01h 51m
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 Saint James.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Saint James?
The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274.1 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?
Magnolia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.3 miles from Cary and 85.1 miles from Saint James.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.1 miles (215.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 10:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.81 one way or $47.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Saint James.
Stop Ideas Near Magnolia
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 Magnolia.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Saint James. Straight-line distance: 134.07 mi (215.77 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint James
Town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 6,607 |
| Coordinates | 33.9293400, -78.1163800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saint James (-78.11638, 33.92934)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.81 | $47.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.62 | $53.24 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.72 | $57.43 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.80 | $67.60 |
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.