How far is Northlakes, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC is about 174 miles (280 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.4 miles (234 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Northlakes and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northlakes and Cary.
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1
Start on Woodmere Point
153 m · 26 sec · Woodmere Point
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2
Turn left onto White Fawn Circle
717 ft · 32 sec · White Fawn Circle
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3
Continue on River Bend Drive
1248 ft · 56 sec · River Bend Drive
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4
Turn right onto Blackhawk Ridge Way
935 ft · 47 sec · Blackhawk Ridge Way
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5
Turn left onto Gunpowder View Circle
589 ft · 28 sec · Gunpowder View Circle
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6
Turn right onto Riverbend Drive
1225 ft · 54 sec · Riverbend Drive
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
44 m · 7 sec
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8
Exit the roundabout
132 m · 19 sec
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9
Continue straight
639 ft · 28 sec
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10
Continue straight
1891 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto River Bend Drive
1307 ft · 38 sec · River Bend Drive
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12
Turn left onto Hickory Boulevard
2.7 mi · 4 min · Hickory Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Clement Boulevard Northwest
159 m · 17 sec · Clement Boulevard Northwest
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14
Continue on Old Lenoir Road
2439 ft · 53 sec · Old Lenoir Road
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15
Continue on 11th Street Northwest
891 ft · 18 sec · 11th Street Northwest
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16
Continue on 3rd Avenue Drive Northwest
1.1 km · 1 min · 3rd Avenue Drive Northwest
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17
Turn straight onto 2nd Avenue Northwest
1638 ft · 37 sec · 2nd Avenue Northwest
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18
Turn right onto 4th Street Northwest
837 ft · 19 sec · 4th Street Northwest
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19
Continue on 4th Street Southwest
797 ft · 25 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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20
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
1.4 km · 1 min · 2nd Avenue Southwest
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21
Continue on Tate Boulevard Southeast
1075 ft · 22 sec · Tate Boulevard Southeast
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22
Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 3 min · Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
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23
Take the ramp slight right
1219 ft · 30 sec
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24
Merge slight left
86.2 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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26
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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27
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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28
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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30
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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31
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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32
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northlakes and Cary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
Merge slight left
86.2 mi · 01h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Northlakes 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 Northlakes to Cary?
The road trip is about 174 miles (280 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kernersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Northlakes and 87.1 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.4 miles (234 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.32 one way or $48.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Northlakes and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Kernersville
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 Kernersville.
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northlakes and Cary. Straight-line distance: 145.39 mi (233.98 km).
#1 Northlakes
Township in Caldwell County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,534 |
| Coordinates | 35.7818000, -81.3750900 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| 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: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.32 | $48.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.19 | $54.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.34 | $58.67 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.53 | $69.06 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.