How far is Norlina, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Norlina, NC to Cary, NC is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
70.13 mi
01h 14m
Flight
55.69 mi
89.62 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norlina.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.69 mi
Kilometers
89.62 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.13 mi
Kilometers
112.87 km
Drive Time
01h 14m

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 01h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 12:11 AM EDT
Return by in Norlina
Sun, Apr 19, 1:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norlina
2026-04-18T22:57
Arrive Cary
Sun, Apr 19, 12:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norlina
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Stem
NC

Town in Granville County, North Carolina, United States

From Norlina
35.2 mi
00h 37m
To Cary
35 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph S
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Norlina and Cary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norlina and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    8.7 mi · 11 min

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Flemingtown Road

    821 ft · 11 sec · Flemingtown Road

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right

    1114 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    39.4 mi · 43 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 885 South, US 70 East: Raleigh

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on East End Connector

    1.7 mi · 2 min · East End Connector

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh

    1.3 km · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Cary

    1091 ft · 23 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Norlina and Cary.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Flemingtown Road
41.7 mi · 59%
I 40 East
8.2 mi · 12%
Durham Freeway
3.9 mi · 6%
North Harrison Avenue
3.13 mi · 4%
I 885 South
2.83 mi · 4%
East End Connector
1.7 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Flemingtown Road

Keep slight right

39.4 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
55.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stem
00h 37m from Norlina
Leave By
4:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Norlina 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 Norlina to Cary?

The road trip is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?

Stem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.2 miles from Norlina and 35 miles from Cary.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 4:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.82 one way or $19.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Norlina and Mostly Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Stem

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Stem, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stem.

RAIL

Durham

28 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

45 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

46 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

48 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norlina and Cary. Straight-line distance: 55.69 mi (89.62 km).

Norlina

#1 Norlina

City in Warren County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,040
Coordinates36.4457000, -78.1983300
Altitude129
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: US 1 (-78.198272, 36.445526)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.48 gal
9.37 L · about $9.82
Round trip
$19.65
4.96 gal · 18.74 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 44.1 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $9.82 $19.65
Mid-grade $4.43 $10.98 $21.97
Premium $4.78 $11.85 $23.70
Diesel $5.62 $13.95 $27.90

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

There is no time difference between Norlina and Cary. The current time is 22:57:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.