How far is Gaston, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Gaston, NC to Cary, NC is about 101 miles (162.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 80.1 miles (128.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.04 mi
01h 33m
Flight
80.11 mi
128.92 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gaston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
80.11 mi
Kilometers
128.92 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.04 mi
Kilometers
162.61 km
Drive Time
01h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 2:21 AM EDT
Return by in Gaston
Sun, Apr 19, 3:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaston
2026-04-19T00:47
Arrive Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 2:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gaston
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Momeyer
NC

Human settlement in Nash County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Gaston
50.5 mi
00h 46m
To Cary
50.6 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W
Destination
81°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    10 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto Pleasant Hill Road

    28 m · 11 sec · Pleasant Hill Road

  3. 3

    Turn left

    3.1 mi · 5 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit straight

    1327 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Congressman G K Butterfield Highway

    36.5 mi · 39 min · Congressman G K Butterfield Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Nashville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh

    1384 ft · 34 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Nashville, Raleigh

    1.6 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    44.6 mi · 48 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary

    1262 ft · 29 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gaston 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
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 64 West
48.2 mi · 48%
Congressman G K Butterfield Highway
36.5 mi · 36%
Dan K Moore Freeway
5.85 mi · 6%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.26 mi · 4%
Chapel Hill Road
2.23 mi · 2%
Pleasant Hill Road
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

US 64 West

Merge slight right

44.6 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
80.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Momeyer
00h 46m from Gaston
Leave By
3:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Gaston 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 Gaston to Cary?

The road trip is about 101 miles (162.6 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?

Momeyer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.5 miles from Gaston and 50.6 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 80.1 miles (128.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 3:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.14 one way or $28.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Gaston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Momeyer

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Momeyer, 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 Momeyer.

RAIL

Rocky Mount

23 mi away
101 Hammond Street
RAIL

Wilson

30 mi away
401 East Nash Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

52 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

57 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaston and Cary. Straight-line distance: 80.11 mi (128.92 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Gaston

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population1,022
Coordinates36.5004300, -77.6449800
Altitude55
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: (-77.645007, 36.50041)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.57 gal
13.5 L · about $14.14
Round trip
$28.28
7.14 gal · 27 L
Estimated CO2
31.7 kg one way
Round trip: 63.5 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.14 $28.28
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.81 $31.62
Premium $4.78 $17.06 $34.11
Diesel $5.62 $20.08 $40.16

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

There is no time difference between Gaston and Cary. The current time is 00:47:52.

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.