How far is Elizabeth City, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Elizabeth City, NC to Cary, NC is about 174.6 miles (281 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.5 miles (234.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 49m 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 24m.
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.
Human settlement in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth City and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City and Cary.
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1
Start on Providence Road
783 ft · 36 sec · Providence Road
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2
Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard
63.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South Hughes Boulevard
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3
Continue straight
56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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4
Continue straight
38.9 mi · 42 min
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5
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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8
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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9
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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11
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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12
Turn right 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 Elizabeth City and Cary.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
South Hughes Boulevard
Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard
63.9 mi · 01h 22m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elizabeth City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth City to Cary?
The road trip is about 174.6 miles (281 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?
Conetoe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Elizabeth City and 87.4 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.5 miles (234.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 10:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Elizabeth City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Conetoe
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Town Hall
Town of Tarboro
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Conetoe.
Greenville, NC
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth City and Cary. Straight-line distance: 145.56 mi (234.25 km).
#1 Elizabeth City
City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina
| Population | 17,988 |
| Coordinates | 36.2946000, -76.2510500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.28 | $54.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.64 | $69.29 |
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.