How far is Lowell, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Lowell, NC to Cary, NC is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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.
City in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States
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 Lowell and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and Cary.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
685 ft · 21 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto North Main Street
709 ft · 28 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto McAdenville Road
1.2 km · 2 min · McAdenville Road
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4
Turn left onto I 85 North: Charlotte
1114 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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6
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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9
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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12
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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14
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell 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.
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 01h 09m
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 Lowell and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lowell to Cary?
The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Trinity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Lowell and 87.6 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.5 miles (218 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.28 one way or $48.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lowell and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Trinity
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 Trinity.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Lexington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Cary. Straight-line distance: 135.47 mi (218.01 km).
#1 Lowell
City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 35.2679200, -81.1028500 |
| Altitude | 249 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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.