How far is Lowesville, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Lowesville, NC to Cary, NC is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.9 miles (205.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 15m.
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 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 Lowesville and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowesville and Cary.
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1
Start on Old Plank Road
24 m · 10 sec · Old Plank Road
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2
Turn left
1.6 mi · 2 min
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Pilot Knob Road
31 m · 2 sec · South Pilot Knob Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Pilot Knob Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Pilot Knob Road
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5
Turn right
20.4 mi · 31 min
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 85 North: Salisbury
1360 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left
31.5 mi · 35 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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13
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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15
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowesville 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 29
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Sunny leaving Lowesville and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lowesville to Cary?
The road trip is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Archdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.1 miles from Lowesville and 81.2 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.9 miles (205.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.70 one way or $45.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lowesville and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Archdale
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 Archdale.
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 Lowesville and Cary. Straight-line distance: 127.92 mi (205.87 km).
#1 Lowesville
Township in Lincoln County, North Carolina
| Population | 2,945 |
| Coordinates | 35.4170800, -81.0111900 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| 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: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.70 | $45.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.23 | $64.45 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.