How far is Lake Waccamaw, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Lake Waccamaw, NC to Cary, NC is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103 miles (165.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Cumberland County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Waccamaw and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Waccamaw and Cary.
-
1
Start on West Oak Street
11 m · 5 sec · West Oak Street
-
2
Turn left onto Pecan Lane
1064 ft · 52 sec · Pecan Lane
-
3
Turn left onto Sam Potts Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sam Potts Highway
-
4
Turn right onto Chauncey Town Road
1913 ft · 38 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Chauncey Town Road
89 m · 6 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chauncey Town Road
41 m · 3 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto Chauncey Town Road
934 ft · 19 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Chauncey Town Road
29 m · 2 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
-
10
Exit the roundabout
2319 ft · 57 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right
1480 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Turn right onto Red Hill Road
7.6 mi · 10 min · Red Hill Road
-
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Red Hill Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Red Hill Road
-
15
Turn left onto James B White Highway
851 ft · 15 sec · James B White Highway
-
16
At the end of the road, turn right
9.6 mi · 13 min
-
17
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
-
18
Turn left
23.7 mi · 33 min
-
19
Continue on Cedar Creek Road
7.1 mi · 10 min · Cedar Creek Road
-
20
Turn left onto I 95 North: Benson
1262 ft · 33 sec
-
21
Merge slight left
31.5 mi · 36 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1480 ft · 36 sec
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Raleigh
1.3 km · 2 min
-
24
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 15 min
-
25
Keep slight left
22.3 mi · 25 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
-
27
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
-
28
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Waccamaw 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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
31.5 mi · 00h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Lake Waccamaw and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Waccamaw to Cary?
The road trip is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Vander is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.8 miles from Lake Waccamaw and 67.5 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103 miles (165.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 1:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.89 one way or $37.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Waccamaw and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Vander
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 Vander.
Fayetteville
Southern Pines
Selma–Smithfield
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Waccamaw and Cary. Straight-line distance: 102.97 mi (165.72 km).
#1 Lake Waccamaw
Town in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,392 |
| Coordinates | 34.3190600, -78.5000100 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| 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: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.89 | $37.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.13 | $42.25 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.79 | $45.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.83 | $53.65 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.