How far is Locust, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Locust, NC to Cary, NC is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 25m 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
121.47 mi
02h 12m
Flight
99.49 mi
160.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Locust.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.49 mi
Kilometers
160.11 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.47 mi
Kilometers
195.48 km
Drive Time
02h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Sat, May 23, 9:45 AM EDT
Return by in Locust
Sat, May 23, 11:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Locust
2026-05-23T07:32
Arrive Cary
Sat, May 23, 9:45 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Locust
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
Robbins
NC

City in Moore County, North Carolina, USA

From Locust
58.7 mi
01h 06m
To Cary
62.8 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph S
Destination
84°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    18 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    61 m · 20 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left

    53 m · 18 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Central Avenue

    94 m · 8 sec · South Central Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    16.9 mi · 25 min · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Albemarle Road

    1900 ft · 38 sec · Albemarle Road

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Albemarle Road

    39 m · 2 sec · Albemarle Road

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Albemarle Road

    5.3 mi · 7 min · Albemarle Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Troy Road

    9.2 mi · 13 min · Troy Road

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    28.7 mi · 40 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    4.2 mi · 7 min

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Courthouse Square

    104 m · 7 sec · Monroe Street

  13. 13

    Exit the rotary onto Monroe Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Monroe Street

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    10.3 mi · 14 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Jefferson Davis Highway

    17.3 mi · 21 min · Jefferson Davis Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

    18.8 mi · 20 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Tryon Road

    1739 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Tryon Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Tryon Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Kildaire Farm Road

    3.1 mi · 7 min · Kildaire Farm Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Academy Street

    3087 ft · 2 min · South Academy Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
0 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Troy Road
42.2 mi · 35%
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
18.8 mi · 16%
Jefferson Davis Highway
17.3 mi · 14%
East Main Street
16.9 mi · 14%
Monroe Street
11.7 mi · 10%
Albemarle Road
5.69 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Troy Road

Continue straight

28.7 mi · 00h 40m

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 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22 mi
99.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Robbins
01h 06m from Locust
Leave By
2:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Locust and 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 Locust to Cary?

The road trip is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?

Robbins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.7 miles from Locust and 62.8 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 2:04 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 Showers And Thunderstorms around Locust and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Robbins

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

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

RAIL

Southern Pines

34 mi away
235 Northwest Broad Street
RAIL

Hamlet

62 mi away
West Main St. and North Bridges St.
RAIL

High Point

69 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

73 mi away
236 East Washington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Locust and Cary. Straight-line distance: 99.49 mi (160.11 km).

Locust

#1 Locust

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

Population3,270
Coordinates35.2598700, -80.4253400
Altitude221
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: NC 24 (-80.425409, 35.26012)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 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 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
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
16.22 L · about $16.95
Round trip
$33.91
8.56 gal · 32.44 L
Estimated CO2
38 kg one way
Round trip: 76.1 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 · May 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Locust and Cary. The current time is 07:32:40.

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.