How far is Cary, NC from Surf City, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Surf City, NC is about 139.8 miles (225 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.3 miles (188.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m 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 53m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Surf City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Surf City.
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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
59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
1701 ft · 48 sec
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11
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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12
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
1.5 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
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13
Turn right
10.6 mi · 15 min
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14
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 3 min
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15
Turn right
3 mi · 4 min
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16
Continue on Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi · 13 min · Cypress Creek Road
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17
Turn left onto Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Sycamore Springs Road
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18
Continue on Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Maple Hill Road North
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19
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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20
Turn right
16.6 mi · 24 min
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
35 m · 2 sec
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22
Exit the roundabout
1.3 km · 2 min
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North New River Drive
69 m · 5 sec · North New River Drive
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24
Exit the roundabout onto North New River Drive
38 m · 3 sec · North New River Drive
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25
Continue on North New River Drive
62 m · 10 sec · North New River Drive
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26
Turn left onto Roland Avenue
33 m · 12 sec · Roland Avenue
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27
Continue on Roland Avenue
23 m · 2 sec · Roland Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Roland Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Surf City.
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
59.6 mi · 01h 04m
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 Sunny near Surf City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Surf City?
The road trip is about 139.8 miles (225 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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 70 miles from Cary and 69.8 miles from Surf City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.3 miles (188.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 12:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.53 one way or $39.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Surf City.
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.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Surf City. Straight-line distance: 117.3 mi (188.78 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surf City
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey
| Population | 2,532 |
| Coordinates | 34.4271100, -77.5460800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Surf City (-77.54608, 34.42711)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.53 | $39.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.83 | $43.67 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.56 | $47.11 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $27.73 | $55.45 |
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.