How far is Nashville, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Nashville, NC to Cary, NC is about 55.6 miles (89.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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 00h 51m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nashville and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville and Cary.
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1
Start on North Alston Street
12 m · 7 sec · North Alston Street
-
2
Turn right onto West Washington Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Washington Street
-
3
Take the ramp left
984 ft · 24 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
39.4 mi · 42 min
-
5
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
-
7
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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8
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
-
9
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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11
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
-
12
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashville and Cary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West Washington Street
Merge slight left
39.4 mi · 00h 42m
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 Nashville and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nashville to Cary?
The road trip is about 55.6 miles (89.4 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?
Wendell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.8 miles from Nashville and 27.8 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.76 one way or $15.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Nashville and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Wendell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Clayton Utilities
City Of Raleigh Fleet Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wendell.
Raleigh Union Station
Selma–Smithfield
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nashville and Cary. Straight-line distance: 47.37 mi (76.24 km).
#1 Nashville
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,572 |
| Coordinates | 35.9746000, -77.9655400 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| 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: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.76 | $15.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.68 | $17.36 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.36 | $18.73 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $11.02 | $22.05 |
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.