How far is Mooresville, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Mooresville, NC to Cary, NC is about 142.9 miles (230 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.8 miles (184.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 35m 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 17m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
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 Mooresville and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mooresville and Cary.
-
1
Start on the route
15 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right
17 m · 6 sec
-
3
Turn right onto West Iredell Avenue
47 m · 10 sec · West Iredell Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
-
5
Continue on Landis Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Landis Highway
-
6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Oakridge Farm Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Oakridge Farm Highway
-
7
Continue on Mooresville Road
15.6 mi · 22 min · Mooresville Road
-
8
Turn right onto Jake Alexander Boulevard West
2 mi · 3 min · Jake Alexander Boulevard West
-
9
Turn left
1434 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
-
13
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
-
16
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
-
18
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mooresville 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 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 Mooresville and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mooresville to Cary?
The road trip is about 142.9 miles (230 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.8 miles from Mooresville and 72.1 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.8 miles (184.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 1:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.96 one way or $39.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mooresville and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
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 Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mooresville and Cary. Straight-line distance: 114.75 mi (184.67 km).
#1 Mooresville
Town in Iredell County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 39,962 |
| Coordinates | 35.5848600, -80.8100700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| 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: 230 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.96 | $39.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.32 | $44.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.08 | $48.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.34 | $56.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.