How far is Hudson, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Hudson, NC to Cary, NC is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.2 miles (244.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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
180.86 mi
02h 56m
Flight
152.14 mi
244.85 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hudson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.14 mi
Kilometers
244.85 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.86 mi
Kilometers
291.06 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Tue, Apr 14, 11:22 PM EDT
Return by in Hudson
Wed, Apr 15, 2:19 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hudson
2026-04-14T20:25
Arrive Cary
Tue, Apr 14, 11:22 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hudson
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
Kernersville
NC

City in North Carolina, United States of America

From Hudson
89.9 mi
01h 28m
To Cary
91 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW
Destination
88°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Central Street

    7 m · 3 sec · Central Street

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto Main Street

    1286 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cedar Valley Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Cedar Valley Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Pine Mountain Road

    2254 ft · 47 sec · Pine Mountain Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Hickory Boulevard

    9.2 mi · 13 min · Hickory Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Clement Boulevard Northwest

    159 m · 17 sec · Clement Boulevard Northwest

  7. 7

    Continue on Old Lenoir Road

    2439 ft · 53 sec · Old Lenoir Road

  8. 8

    Continue on 11th Street Northwest

    891 ft · 18 sec · 11th Street Northwest

  9. 9

    Continue on 3rd Avenue Drive Northwest

    1.1 km · 1 min · 3rd Avenue Drive Northwest

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto 2nd Avenue Northwest

    1638 ft · 37 sec · 2nd Avenue Northwest

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 4th Street Northwest

    837 ft · 19 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  12. 12

    Continue on 4th Street Southwest

    797 ft · 25 sec · 4th Street Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southwest

    1.4 km · 1 min · 2nd Avenue Southwest

  14. 14

    Continue on Tate Boulevard Southeast

    1075 ft · 22 sec · Tate Boulevard Southeast

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right

    1219 ft · 30 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    86.2 mi · 1 hr 38 min

  18. 18

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

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    28.8 mi · 33 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Cary

    1091 ft · 23 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hudson 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
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
87.8 mi · 49%
I 40 East
75.3 mi · 42%
Hickory Boulevard
9.17 mi · 5%
North Harrison Avenue
3.13 mi · 2%
2nd Avenue Southwest
0.88 mi
Cedar Valley Road
0.71 mi
Longest Stretch

Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast

Merge slight left

86.2 mi · 01h 38m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.7 mi
152.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kernersville
01h 28m from Hudson
Leave By
12:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Hudson and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?

Kernersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Hudson and 91 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 152.2 miles (244.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.7 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 12:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.27 one way or $50.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kernersville

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

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

BUS

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

14 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

16 mi away
100 West 5th Street
RAIL

High Point

19 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

23 mi away
236 East Washington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hudson and Cary. Straight-line distance: 152.14 mi (244.85 km).

Hudson

#1 Hudson

Town in North Carolina

Population3,703
Coordinates35.8484600, -81.4959300
Altitude384
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Street (-81.495954, 35.848447)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 291 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.38 gal
24.16 L · about $25.27
Round trip
$50.54
12.76 gal · 48.32 L
Estimated CO2
56.7 kg one way
Round trip: 113.4 kg / 250 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.27 $50.54
Mid-grade $4.43 $28.26 $56.51
Premium $4.78 $30.48 $60.97
Diesel $5.62 $35.88 $71.76

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 Hudson and Cary. The current time is 20:25:44.

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.