How far is Durham, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Cary, NC is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.5 miles (24.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 23m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Wake County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Cary.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1101 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn right onto South Dillard Street
144 m · 17 sec · South Dillard Street
-
3
Turn left onto Ramseur Street
889 ft · 26 sec · Ramseur Street
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4
Turn right onto Fayetteville Road
954 ft · 36 sec · Fayetteville Road
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5
Take the ramp left
797 ft · 20 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
1.3 km · 58 sec
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8
Merge slight right
7.2 mi · 8 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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10
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 26 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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12
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Cary.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 40 East
Merge slight right
7.17 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Cary?
The road trip is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from Durham and 9.4 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.5 miles (24.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.61 one way or $5.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Morrisville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Cary. Straight-line distance: 15.46 mi (24.88 km).
#1 Durham
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
| Population | 285,897 |
| Coordinates | 35.9940300, -78.8986200 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cary
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 173,587 |
| Coordinates | 35.7915400, -78.7811200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.61 | $5.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.92 | $5.85 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $3.15 | $6.31 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.71 | $7.42 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.