How far is Long Beach, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Long Beach, NC to Cary, NC is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 38m 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 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Duplin County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Long Beach and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach and Cary.
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1
Start on East Beach Drive
655 ft · 24 sec · East Beach Drive
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2
Turn right onto Southeast 43rd Street
1264 ft · 48 sec · Southeast 43rd Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Oak Island Drive
2.6 mi · 5 min · East Oak Island Drive
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4
Turn right onto North Middleton Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Middleton Street
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5
Continue on Midway Road Southeast
6.5 mi · 9 min · Midway Road Southeast
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6
Turn right onto Old Ocean Highway
2380 ft · 41 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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7
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Main Street
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8
Continue on Old Ocean Highway
1679 ft · 35 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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9
Turn right onto Ocean Highway East
8 mi · 11 min · Ocean Highway East
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
19.7 mi · 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1527 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Michael Jordan Highway
103.3 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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14
Keep slight left
22.3 mi · 25 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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16
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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17
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Long Beach 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.
Michael Jordan Highway
Merge slight left onto Michael Jordan Highway
103 mi · 01h 51m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Long Beach and Chance 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 Long Beach to Cary?
The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Magnolia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Long Beach and 86 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 10:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.08 one way or $48.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Long Beach and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Magnolia
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 Magnolia.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Jacksonville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Long Beach and Cary. Straight-line distance: 135.3 mi (217.75 km).
#1 Long Beach
City in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 5,618 |
| Coordinates | 33.9104500, -78.1177700 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.08 | $48.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.93 | $53.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.05 | $58.10 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.19 | $68.39 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.