How far is Fairview, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Fairview, NC to Cary, NC is about 244.1 miles (392.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 203.8 miles (328 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
244.09 mi
03h 53m
Flight
203.84 mi
328.05 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairview.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
203.84 mi
Kilometers
328.05 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
244.09 mi
Kilometers
392.83 km
Drive Time
03h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 9:05 AM EDT
Return by in Fairview
Wed, Apr 15, 12:59 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairview
2026-04-15T05:12
Arrive Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 9:05 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:14 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairview
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Mocksville
NC

City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Fairview
121.9 mi
01h 56m
To Cary
122.2 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph NNW
Destination
91°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fairview and Cary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairview and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on Merrill Drive

    9 m · 3 sec · Merrill Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Charlotte Highway

    7.1 mi · 11 min · Charlotte Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Gashes Creek Road

    584 ft · 10 sec · Gashes Creek Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    1120 ft · 27 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway

    1890 ft · 29 sec · Billy Graham Freeway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    157.8 mi · 3 hr

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    28.8 mi · 33 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Cary

    1091 ft · 23 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 26 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairview and Cary.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Billy Graham Freeway
158 mi · 65%
I 40 East
75.3 mi · 31%
Charlotte Highway
7.12 mi · 3%
North Harrison Avenue
3.13 mi · 1%
Gashes Creek Road
0.32 mi
Chapel Hill Road
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

Billy Graham Freeway

Merge slight left

158 mi · 03h 00m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.3 mi
203.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mocksville
01h 56m from Fairview
Leave By
9:14 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Fairview and Mostly Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fairview to Cary?

The road trip is about 244.1 miles (392.8 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?

Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.9 miles from Fairview and 122.2 miles from Cary.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 203.8 miles (328 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.10 one way or $68.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Fairview and Mostly Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Mocksville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mocksville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mocksville.

RAIL

Salisbury

26 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

29 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

36 mi away
100 West 5th Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

37 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairview and Cary. Straight-line distance: 203.84 mi (328.05 km).

Fairview

#1 Fairview

Township in Buncombe County, North Carolina

Population3,984
Coordinates35.5140100, -82.3959500
Altitude678
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Merrill Drive (-82.395974, 35.51404)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 393 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.61 gal
32.6 L · about $34.10
Round trip
$68.21
17.22 gal · 65.2 L
Estimated CO2
76.5 kg one way
Round trip: 153 kg / 337 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $34.10 $68.21
Mid-grade $4.43 $38.13 $76.27
Premium $4.78 $41.14 $82.28
Diesel $5.62 $48.42 $96.85

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairview and Cary. The current time is 05:12:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.