How far is Cary, NC from Silver Lake, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Silver Lake, NC is about 142.2 miles (228.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.7 miles (199 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m 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 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
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 Silver Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Silver Lake.
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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
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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10
Continue on North College Road
5.1 mi · 8 min · North College Road
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11
Turn slight right onto Shipyard Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Shipyard Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto Independence Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Independence Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Carolina Beach Road
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14
Turn right onto Silver Terra Drive
1561 ft · 1 min · Silver Terra Drive
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15
Turn right onto Ilex Drive
156 m · 27 sec · Ilex Drive
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16
Turn left onto Carya Drive
134 m · 21 sec · Carya Drive
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17
Turn right onto Cornus Drive
1032 ft · 47 sec · Cornus Drive
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18
Turn right onto Yulan Drive
10 m · 1 sec · Yulan Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Yulan Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Silver Lake.
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
107 mi · 01h 55m
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 Mostly Sunny near Silver Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Silver Lake?
The road trip is about 142.2 miles (228.8 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Cary and 71 miles from Silver Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.7 miles (199 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 1:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.88 one way or $39.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Silver Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Silver Lake. Straight-line distance: 123.67 mi (199.03 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Silver Lake
City in Shawnee County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 5,598 |
| Coordinates | 34.1487800, -77.9136000 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: Silver Lake (-77.9136, 34.14878)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 229 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.88 | $39.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.23 | $44.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.99 | $47.97 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.23 | $56.46 |
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 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.