How far is Red Oak, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Red Oak, NC to Cary, NC is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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
62.27 mi
00h 59m
Flight
51.83 mi
83.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Red Oak.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.83 mi
Kilometers
83.42 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
62.27 mi
Kilometers
100.22 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Tue, Apr 14, 7:02 PM EDT
Return by in Red Oak
Tue, Apr 14, 8:02 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Red Oak
2026-04-14T18:02
Arrive Cary
Tue, Apr 14, 7:02 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Red Oak
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
Zebulon
NC

City in Pike County, Georgia, United States

From Red Oak
31.1 mi
00h 29m
To Cary
31.2 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SW
Destination
88°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on Red Oak Boulevard

    15 m · 5 sec · Red Oak Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Red Oak Road

    5.1 mi · 8 min · Red Oak Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    2243 ft · 55 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    41.5 mi · 45 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary

    1262 ft · 29 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Oak 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
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Red Oak Road
49.7 mi · 80%
Dan K Moore Freeway
5.85 mi · 9%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.26 mi · 7%
Chapel Hill Road
2.23 mi · 4%
NC 54
0.24 mi
Red Oak Boulevard
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

Red Oak Road

Merge slight left

41.5 mi · 00h 45m

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
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.5 mi
51.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Zebulon
00h 29m from Red Oak
Leave By
4:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Red Oak and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Red Oak to Cary?

The road trip is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?

Zebulon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.1 miles from Red Oak and 31.2 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 4:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.71 one way or $17.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Red Oak and Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Zebulon

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Zebulon and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 14.5 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Raleigh , NC
13100 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
Rating 4.6/5 86 reviews Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 14.4 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 14.6 mi away

City Of Raleigh Fleet Services

Raleigh , NC
2501 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

30 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

33 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

35 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Wilson

38 mi away
401 East Nash Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Red Oak and Cary. Straight-line distance: 51.83 mi (83.42 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Red Oak

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

Population3,492
Coordinates36.0384900, -77.9063700
Altitude62
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Red Oak Boulevard (-77.90636, 36.038498)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 100 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.2 gal
8.32 L · about $8.71
Round trip
$17.43
4.4 gal · 16.64 L
Estimated CO2
19.6 kg one way
Round trip: 39.1 kg / 86 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $8.71 $17.43
Mid-grade $4.43 $9.74 $19.49
Premium $4.78 $10.51 $21.02
Diesel $5.62 $12.37 $24.75

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Red Oak and Cary. The current time is 18:02:42.

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.