How far is Flat Rock, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Flat Rock, NC to Cary, NC is about 257.9 miles (415 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 208.9 miles (336.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m 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 04h 08m.
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.
Town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Flat Rock and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flat Rock and Cary.
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1
Start on West Blue Ridge Road
10 m · 6 sec · West Blue Ridge Road
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2
Turn right onto Greenville Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Greenville Highway
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3
Turn right onto North Highland Lake Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · North Highland Lake Road
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4
Continue on Upward Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Upward Road
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5
Take the ramp right
1114 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
3107 ft · 41 sec · Andrew Jackson Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
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13
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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14
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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15
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
572 ft · 8 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
1.3 km · 56 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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18
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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21
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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24
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 26 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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26
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Flat Rock and Cary.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Flat Rock and 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 Flat Rock to Cary?
The road trip is about 257.9 miles (415 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
China Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.1 miles from Flat Rock and 129.8 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 208.9 miles (336.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49 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 8:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.05 one way or $72.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Flat Rock and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near China Grove
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 China Grove.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Flat Rock and Cary. Straight-line distance: 208.92 mi (336.22 km).
#1 Flat Rock
Village in Henderson County, North Carolina
| Population | 3,408 |
| Coordinates | 35.2712300, -82.4415100 |
| Altitude | 672 |
| 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: 415 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $36.05 | $72.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $40.30 | $80.61 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.48 | $86.96 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $51.18 | $102.36 |
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 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.