How far is Cary, NC from Waynesville, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Waynesville, NC is about 269.9 miles (434.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 237.2 miles (381.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 36m 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 05h 18m.
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 Iredell County, North Carolina, United States
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 Waynesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Waynesville.
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1
Start on North Academy Street
7 m · 6 sec · North Academy Street
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2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 19 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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3
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
1937 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
59.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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6
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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7
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
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9
Keep slight left
25.5 mi · 32 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
5.8 mi · 8 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 276: Waynesville, Brevard
875 ft · 21 sec
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12
Turn right onto Russ Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Russ Avenue
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13
Continue on Walnut Street
684 ft · 14 sec · Walnut Street
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14
Continue on Walnut Street
655 ft · 16 sec · Walnut Street
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
2171 ft · 45 sec · North Main Street
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16
Turn right
12 m · 3 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Waynesville.
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 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153 mi · 02h 54m
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 Sunny near Waynesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Waynesville?
The road trip is about 269.9 miles (434.4 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.8 miles from Cary and 135.1 miles from Waynesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 237.2 miles (381.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 6:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.71 one way or $75.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Waynesville.
Stop Ideas Near Statesville
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 Statesville.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Waynesville. Straight-line distance: 237.17 mi (381.69 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waynesville
City in North Carolina
| Population | 10,557 |
| Coordinates | 35.4887100, -82.9887500 |
| Altitude | 837 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waynesville (-82.98875, 35.48871)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 434 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $37.71 | $75.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.16 | $84.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $45.49 | $90.97 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $53.54 | $107.08 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.