How far is Cary, NC from Wrightsville Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Cary, NC to Wrightsville Beach, NC is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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 36m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Wrightsville Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Wrightsville 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
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 left onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.2 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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12
Continue on Eastwood Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Eastwood Road
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13
Continue on Wrightsville Avenue
1488 ft · 34 sec · Wrightsville Avenue
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14
Continue on Causeway Drive
691 ft · 17 sec · Causeway Drive
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Causeway Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Causeway Drive
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Causeway Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Wrightsville 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
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cary and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Wrightsville Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cary to Wrightsville Beach?
The road trip is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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 69.3 miles from Cary and 69.2 miles from Wrightsville Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 1:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.47 one way or $42.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cary and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Wrightsville Beach.
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 Wrightsville Beach. Straight-line distance: 122.76 mi (197.56 km).
#1 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wrightsville Beach
City in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,516 |
| Coordinates | 34.2085000, -77.7963700 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wrightsville Beach (-77.79637, 34.2085)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 223 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.47 | $42.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.01 | $48.01 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.90 | $51.79 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.48 | $60.96 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.