How far is Emerald Isle, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Emerald Isle, NC to Cary, NC is about 151.6 miles (243.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m 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 46m.
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.
Town in Lenoir 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 Emerald Isle and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emerald Isle and Cary.
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1
Start on Emerald Drive
5.9 mi · 10 min · Emerald Drive
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Emerald Drive
25 m · 2 sec · Emerald Drive
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3
Exit the rotary onto Emerald Drive
20.8 mi · 31 min · Emerald Drive
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4
Turn right onto Main Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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5
Merge slight left
16.7 mi · 19 min
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6
Merge slight left
26.9 mi · 30 min
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7
Continue on West New Bern Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West New Bern Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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9
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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10
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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12
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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13
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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14
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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15
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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16
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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17
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 21 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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19
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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20
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Emerald Isle and Cary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Main Street
Merge slight left
26.9 mi · 00h 30m
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 Emerald Isle and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Emerald Isle to Cary?
The road trip is about 151.6 miles (243.9 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
La Grange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Emerald Isle and 71.3 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Emerald Isle and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near La Grange
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 La Grange.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Wilson
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Emerald Isle and Cary. Straight-line distance: 128.8 mi (207.28 km).
#1 Emerald Isle
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,676 |
| Coordinates | 34.6779400, -76.9507800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.19 | $42.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.70 | $47.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.09 | $60.18 |
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.