How far is Cary, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.1 miles (190 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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 05m.
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 Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Wilmington.
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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 · 26 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
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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10
Continue on North College Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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11
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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12
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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14
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
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15
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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16
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Wilmington.
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
107 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Sunny leaving Cary and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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 69.4 miles from Cary and 72 miles from Wilmington.
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 23.3 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 2:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.77 one way or $39.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Sunny near Wilmington.
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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Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Wilmington. 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 Wilmington
The largest city in the state of North Carolina.
| Population | 124,794 |
| Coordinates | 34.2257300, -77.9447100 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 228 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.77 | $39.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.10 | $44.20 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.84 | $47.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.06 | $56.13 |
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.