How far is Cary, NC from Topsail Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Topsail Beach, NC is about 146.1 miles (235.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.1 miles (190 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Topsail Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Topsail 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
20
Turn right
16.6 mi · 24 min
-
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
-
23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Topsail Drive
9 m · 1 sec · South Topsail Drive
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24
Exit the roundabout onto South Topsail Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Topsail Drive
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25
Continue on South Shore Drive
2.3 mi · 5 min · South Shore Drive
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26
Continue on North Anderson Boulevard
2.8 mi · 6 min · North Anderson Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Anderson Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Topsail 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
59.6 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Sunny leaving Cary and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Topsail Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Topsail Beach?
The road trip is about 146.1 miles (235.1 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Turkey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.1 miles from Cary and 73 miles from Topsail Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.1 miles (190 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 10:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.33 one way or $38.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Topsail Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Turkey
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 Turkey.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Topsail Beach. Straight-line distance: 118.09 mi (190.04 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Topsail Beach
Human settlement in Pender County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 438 |
| Coordinates | 34.3651700, -77.6305300 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Topsail Beach (-77.63053, 34.36517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $19.33 | $38.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $21.78 | $43.57 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $23.82 | $47.64 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $29.45 | $58.91 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026