How far is Rockwell, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Rockwell, NC to Cary, NC is about 106 miles (170.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 55m 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
106.02 mi
01h 57m
Flight
92.73 mi
149.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockwell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
92.73 mi
Kilometers
149.23 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.02 mi
Kilometers
170.62 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 2:24 PM EDT
Return by in Rockwell
Wed, Apr 15, 4:22 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockwell
2026-04-15T12:26
Arrive Cary
Wed, Apr 15, 2:24 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockwell
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
Ramseur
NC

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

From Rockwell
51.6 mi
00h 58m
To Cary
54.4 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph SSW
Destination
91°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Broad Street

    23 m · 11 sec · Broad Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    9.9 mi · 16 min · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    29.4 mi · 38 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    1230 ft · 39 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on West Dixie Drive

    3.5 mi · 6 min · West Dixie Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Richard K. Pugh Highway

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Richard K. Pugh Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Jordan Road

    24.3 mi · 36 min · Jordan Road

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    23.2 mi · 30 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Apex Downtown

    1346 ft · 45 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Salem Street

    115 m · 13 sec · North Salem Street

  11. 11

    Continue on North Salem Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Salem Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Old Apex Road

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Old Apex Road

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Chatham Street

    43 m · 3 sec · West Chatham Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto West Chatham Street

    2076 ft · 56 sec · West Chatham Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Harrison Avenue

    1654 ft · 45 sec · South Harrison Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jordan Road
47.5 mi · 45%
East Main Street
10.2 mi · 10%
Richard K. Pugh Highway
7.11 mi · 7%
West Dixie Drive
3.46 mi · 3%
Old Apex Road
3.25 mi · 3%
North Salem Street
1.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

29.4 mi · 00h 38m

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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
92.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ramseur
00h 58m from Rockwell
Leave By
2:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rockwell and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockwell to Cary?

The road trip is about 106 miles (170.6 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?

Ramseur is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.6 miles from Rockwell and 54.4 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 2:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.81 one way or $29.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Ramseur

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ramseur, 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 Ramseur.

RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

40 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

40 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Burlington

45 mi away
101 North Main Street
RAIL

Lexington

55 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockwell and Cary. Straight-line distance: 92.73 mi (149.23 km).

Rockwell

#1 Rockwell

Village in North Carolina

Population2,166
Coordinates35.5512500, -80.4064500
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Broad Street (-80.406488, 35.55128)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 171 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.74 gal
14.16 L · about $14.81
Round trip
$29.63
7.48 gal · 28.32 L
Estimated CO2
33.2 kg one way
Round trip: 66.5 kg / 147 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.81 $29.63
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.56 $33.13
Premium $4.78 $17.87 $35.74
Diesel $5.62 $21.03 $42.07

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockwell and Cary. The current time is 12:26:51.

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.