How far is Fayetteville, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Fayetteville, NC to Cary, NC is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.3 miles (82.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m 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 01h 08m.
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 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 Fayetteville and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville and Cary.
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1
Start on Market Square
80 m · 6 sec · Market Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto Person Street
1170 ft · 21 sec · Person Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Person Street
1647 ft · 30 sec · Person Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward B Street
37 m · 2 sec · B Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto B Street
1681 ft · 37 sec · B Street
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6
Turn right onto Grove Street
938 ft · 25 sec · Grove Street
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7
Turn left onto North Eastern Boulevard
30.8 mi · 36 min · North Eastern Boulevard
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1480 ft · 36 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Raleigh
1.3 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 15 min
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11
Keep slight left
22.3 mi · 25 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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14
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fayetteville and Cary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Eastern Boulevard
Turn left onto North Eastern Boulevard
30.8 mi · 00h 36m
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 Fayetteville and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fayetteville to Cary?
The road trip is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?
Benson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36 miles from Fayetteville and 36.1 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.3 miles (82.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 4:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.06 one way or $20.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fayetteville and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Benson
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 Benson.
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
Fayetteville
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fayetteville and Cary. Straight-line distance: 51.34 mi (82.63 km).
#1 Fayetteville
The most populous city in Cumberland County, North Carolina.
| Population | 211,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.0526600, -78.8783600 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| 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: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.06 | $20.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $11.25 | $22.50 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $12.14 | $24.27 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $14.28 | $28.57 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.