How far is Cary, NC from Saint Stephens, NC?

The driving distance from Cary, NC to Saint Stephens, NC is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.7 miles (224.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m 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
164.82 mi
03h 18m
Flight
139.7 mi
224.82 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
139.7 mi
Kilometers
224.82 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
164.82 mi
Kilometers
265.25 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Stephens
Wed, Apr 15, 6:21 AM EDT
Return by in Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 9:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cary
2026-04-15T03:03
Arrive Saint Stephens
Wed, Apr 15, 6:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 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
10:24 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
Kernersville
NC

City in North Carolina, United States of America

From Cary
82.3 mi
01h 39m
To Saint Stephens
82.5 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
90°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Saint Stephens.

  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 right

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

    75.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Old US 70

    1917 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West 1st Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · West 1st Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Section House Road

    3.3 mi · 8 min · Section House Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Springs Road Northeast

    1190 ft · 30 sec · Springs Road Northeast

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Kool Park Road Northeast

    1290 ft · 31 sec · Kool Park Road Northeast

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Kool Park Mhp

    76 m · 11 sec · Kool Park Mhp

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Kool Park Mhp

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
80.1 mi · 49%
I 40 West
75.9 mi · 46%
North Harrison Avenue
3.62 mi · 2%
Section House Road
3.32 mi · 2%
West 1st Street
0.92 mi · 1%
Old US 70
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

75.9 mi · 01h 26m

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 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.1 mi
139.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kernersville
01h 39m from Cary
Leave By
10:24 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cary and Mostly Sunny near Saint Stephens.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cary to Saint Stephens?

The road trip is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?

Kernersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Cary and 82.5 miles from Saint Stephens.

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

The direct path is about 139.7 miles (224.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:24 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.05 one way or $46.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Saint Stephens.

Stop Ideas Near Kernersville

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

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

BUS

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

14 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

16 mi away
100 West 5th Street
RAIL

High Point

19 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

23 mi away
236 East Washington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Saint Stephens. Straight-line distance: 139.7 mi (224.82 km).

Cary

#1 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Stephens

Town in Alabama, USA

Population8,759
Coordinates35.7645800, -81.2731400
Altitude341
CountryUnited States
Start: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
End: Saint Stephens (-81.27314, 35.76458)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 265 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.82 gal
22.02 L · about $23.05
Round trip
$46.11
11.64 gal · 44.04 L
Estimated CO2
51.7 kg one way
Round trip: 103.4 kg / 228 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.05 $46.11
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.78 $51.55
Premium $4.78 $27.81 $55.62
Diesel $5.62 $32.73 $65.46

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 Saint Stephens. The current time is 03:03:16.

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.