How far is Half Moon, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Half Moon, NC to Cary, NC is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100 miles (161 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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
121.26 mi
02h 27m
Flight
100.02 mi
160.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Half Moon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
100.02 mi
Kilometers
160.96 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.26 mi
Kilometers
195.15 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Thu, Apr 16, 11:59 AM EDT
Return by in Half Moon
Thu, Apr 16, 2:27 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Half Moon
2026-04-16T09:31
Arrive Cary
Thu, Apr 16, 11:59 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Half Moon
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Keener
NC

Township in Sampson County, North Carolina

From Half Moon
60.6 mi
01h 13m
To Cary
60.6 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW
Destination
91°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Half Moon and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on Ramsey Road

    29 m · 6 sec · Ramsey Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Gum Branch Road

    6.8 mi · 10 min · Gum Branch Road

  3. 3

    Continue on East Franck Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Franck Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Richlands Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Richlands Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Beulaville Highway

    20.8 mi · 30 min · Beulaville Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass

    5.8 mi · 8 min · South Kenansville Bypass

  7. 7

    Take the exit right

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    22.3 mi · 25 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary

    1262 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Kenansville Bypass
87.9 mi · 72%
Beulaville Highway
20.8 mi · 17%
Gum Branch Road
6.77 mi · 6%
Chapel Hill Road
2.23 mi · 2%
Richlands Highway
2.19 mi · 2%
East Franck Street
1.16 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Kenansville Bypass

Take the exit right

59.8 mi · 01h 04m

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
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.2 mi
100 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Keener
01h 13m from Half Moon
Leave By
1:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Half Moon 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 Half Moon to Cary?

The road trip is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.6 miles from Half Moon and 60.6 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 100 miles (161 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 1:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.95 one way or $33.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Half Moon and Mostly Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Keener

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

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

BUS

Goldsboro, NC

44 mi away
1615 East Beech Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

47 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

52 mi away
472 Hay Street
BUS

Kinston, NC

68 mi away
101 East New Bern Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Half Moon and Cary. Straight-line distance: 100.02 mi (160.96 km).

Half Moon

#1 Half Moon

Census-Designated Place in Onslow County, North Carolina

Population8,352
Coordinates34.8260000, -77.4594100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Half Moon (-77.45941, 34.826)
End: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.28 gal
16.2 L · about $16.95
Round trip
$33.91
8.56 gal · 32.4 L
Estimated CO2
38 kg one way
Round trip: 76.1 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $16.95 $33.91
Mid-grade $4.43 $18.96 $37.91
Premium $4.78 $20.45 $40.90
Diesel $5.62 $24.07 $48.14

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Half Moon and Cary. The current time is 09:31:45.

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.