How far is Matthews, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Matthews, NC to Cary, NC is about 141.3 miles (227.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.9 miles (191.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m 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 39m.
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.
Human settlement in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Matthews and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Matthews and Cary.
-
1
Start on North Freemont Street
4 m · 6 sec · North Freemont Street
-
2
Turn left onto West John Street
149 m · 24 sec · West John Street
-
3
Turn left onto North Trade Street
1077 ft · 25 sec · North Trade Street
-
4
Turn right onto East Matthews Street
656 ft · 13 sec · East Matthews Street
-
5
Continue on Matthews-Mint Hill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Matthews-Mint Hill Road
-
6
Turn right onto East Independence Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · East Independence Boulevard
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi · 22 min · Monroe Expressway
-
8
Merge slight right onto Carroll M. Edwards Highway
1804 ft · 28 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
-
9
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
-
10
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
-
11
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
-
13
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
-
14
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
-
15
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
5.3 mi · 8 min
-
17
Turn left onto West Green Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West Green Street
-
18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi · 53 min · Fayetteville Road
-
19
Take the exit slight right
3251 ft · 43 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
41.9 mi · 48 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Tryon Road
1739 ft · 42 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto Tryon Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Tryon Road
-
23
Turn left onto Kildaire Farm Road
3.1 mi · 7 min · Kildaire Farm Road
-
24
Turn right onto South Academy Street
3087 ft · 2 min · South Academy Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Matthews and Cary.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Fayetteville Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi · 00h 53m
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 Matthews and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Matthews to Cary?
The road trip is about 141.3 miles (227.4 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Hoffman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.4 miles from Matthews and 65.9 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.9 miles (191.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.73 one way or $39.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Matthews and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Hoffman
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 Hoffman.
Southern Pines
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Matthews and Cary. Straight-line distance: 118.85 mi (191.27 km).
#1 Matthews
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 33,718 |
| Coordinates | 35.1168100, -80.7236800 |
| Altitude | 222 |
| 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: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.73 | $39.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.06 | $44.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.79 | $47.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.01 | $56.02 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.