How far is Cary, NC from Southern Shores, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Southern Shores, NC is about 219.6 miles (353.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m 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 33m.
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.
City in North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Southern Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Southern Shores.
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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 left
79.6 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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9
Turn right
20.2 mi · 29 min
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10
Continue on United States Highway 64 East
1 mi · 2 min · United States Highway 64 East
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11
Continue on U.S. Highway 64 East
2.3 mi · 3 min · U.S. Highway 64 East
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12
Continue on United States Highway 64 East
39.5 mi · 47 min · United States Highway 64 East
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13
Keep slight right
26.2 mi · 36 min
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14
Continue on South Virginia Dare Trail
157 m · 11 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
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15
Continue on South Croatan Highway
14.9 mi · 24 min · South Croatan Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right
82 m · 8 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Ocean Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Ocean Boulevard
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18
Turn straight onto Duck Road
1.5 mi · 5 min · Duck Road
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19
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
1195 ft · 58 sec · 3rd Avenue
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20
Continue on 3rd Avenue
78 m · 16 sec · 3rd Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Southern Shores.
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 left
79.6 mi · 01h 26m
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 Southern Shores.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Southern Shores?
The road trip is about 219.6 miles (353.4 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?
Williamston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.7 miles from Cary and 109.9 miles from Southern Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.4 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 7:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.70 one way or $61.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Southern Shores.
Stop Ideas Near Williamston
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 Williamston.
Greenville, NC
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Southern Shores. Straight-line distance: 172.21 mi (277.15 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Southern Shores
Town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 2,997 |
| Coordinates | 36.1390500, -75.7315700 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southern Shores (-75.73157, 36.13905)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.70 | $61.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.32 | $68.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $37.03 | $74.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.59 | $87.17 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.