How far is Lake Lure, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Lake Lure, NC to Cary, NC is about 236.7 miles (381 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.9 miles (312.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 50m 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 03h 55m.
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.
City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Lure and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Lure and Cary.
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1
Start on Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway
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2
Continue on Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 4 min · Memorial Highway
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3
Continue on Chimney Rock Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Chimney Rock Road
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4
Turn left onto McEntire Road
1.6 km · 1 min · McEntire Road
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5
Continue on McEntire Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · McEntire Road
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6
Continue on Freeman Town Road
1.1 km · 3 min · Freeman Town Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Cove Road
6.2 mi · 10 min · Cove Road
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8
Continue on Montford Cove Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · Montford Cove Road
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9
Continue on Sugar Hill Road
140 m · 8 sec · Sugar Hill Road
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10
Turn right onto Mud Cut Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Mud Cut Road
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11
Turn left onto US 221
3.9 mi · 5 min · US 221
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12
Take the exit right
1240 ft · 30 sec
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13
Merge slight left
126.6 mi · 2 hr 23 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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15
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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16
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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19
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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21
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Lure 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.
US 221
Merge slight left
127 mi · 02h 23m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Lure 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 Lake Lure to Cary?
The road trip is about 236.7 miles (381 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.7 miles from Lake Lure and 119.1 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.9 miles (312.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.11 one way or $66.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Lure and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Mocksville
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 Mocksville.
Salisbury
Lexington
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Lure and Cary. Straight-line distance: 193.94 mi (312.12 km).
#1 Lake Lure
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 1,153 |
| Coordinates | 35.4279000, -82.2048300 |
| Altitude | 337 |
| 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: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.11 | $66.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $37.03 | $74.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.94 | $79.89 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $47.02 | $94.03 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.