How far is North Wilkesboro, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from North Wilkesboro, NC to Cary, NC is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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 27m.
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 Guilford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Wilkesboro and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Wilkesboro and Cary.
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1
Start on the route
79 m · 25 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street
36 m · 11 sec · B Street
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3
Turn left onto Cbd Loop
546 ft · 13 sec · Cbd Loop
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4
Turn right onto Wilkesboro Boulevard
1543 ft · 26 sec · Wilkesboro Boulevard
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5
Continue on Wilkesboro Avenue
1613 ft · 30 sec · Wilkesboro Avenue
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6
Continue on Oakwoods Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Oakwoods Road
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Oakwoods Road
34 m · 3 sec · Oakwoods Road
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Oakwoods Road
538 ft · 18 sec · Oakwoods Road
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9
Take the ramp left
1261 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left
46.9 mi · 54 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Greensboro
1.6 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
23.1 mi · 27 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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14
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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18
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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20
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Wilkesboro 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.
Oakwoods Road
Merge slight left
46.9 mi · 00h 54m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving North Wilkesboro and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Wilkesboro to Cary?
The road trip is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.8 miles from North Wilkesboro and 75.6 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 1:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.15 one way or $42.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around North Wilkesboro and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
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 Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Wilkesboro and Cary. Straight-line distance: 134.73 mi (216.82 km).
#1 North Wilkesboro
City in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 4,082 |
| Coordinates | 36.1584700, -81.1475800 |
| Altitude | 305 |
| 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: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.15 | $42.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.65 | $47.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.51 | $51.03 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.03 | $60.06 |
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.