How far is Cary, NC from Sunset Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Sunset Beach, NC is about 185.6 miles (298.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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 34m.
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.
Human settlement in Duplin County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Sunset Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Sunset Beach.
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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
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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
32 mi · 41 min · Ocean Highway East
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15
Turn left onto Seaside Road Southwest
3.6 mi · 6 min · Seaside Road Southwest
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16
Turn right onto Sunset Boulevard North
1.7 mi · 3 min · Sunset Boulevard North
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Sunset Boulevard South
9 m · 1 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South
1901 ft · 46 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Sunset Beach.
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 Sunset Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Sunset Beach?
The road trip is about 185.6 miles (298.7 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Rose Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.8 miles from Cary and 92.7 miles from Sunset Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.7 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 9:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Sunset Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Rose Hill
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 Rose Hill.
Jacksonville, NC
Kinston, NC
Goldsboro, NC
Wilmington, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Sunset Beach. Straight-line distance: 132.9 mi (213.88 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sunset Beach
City in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 4,172 |
| Coordinates | 33.8807300, -78.5122300 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sunset Beach (-78.51223, 33.88073)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.01 | $58.02 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.30 | $62.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.84 | $73.67 |
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.