How far is Roxboro, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Roxboro, NC to Cary, NC is about 50.3 miles (80.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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
50.29 mi
01h 04m
Flight
43.1 mi
69.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Roxboro.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.1 mi
Kilometers
69.37 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.29 mi
Kilometers
80.94 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Thu, Apr 23, 12:41 AM EDT
Return by in Roxboro
Thu, Apr 23, 1:45 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roxboro
2026-04-22T23:36
Arrive Cary
Thu, Apr 23, 12:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roxboro
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
Durham
NC

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.

From Roxboro
24.7 mi
00h 32m
To Cary
25.6 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph W
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Depot Street

    146 m · 25 sec · Depot Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Foushee Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · South Foushee Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Durham Road

    10.7 mi · 16 min · Durham Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Roxboro Road

    10.7 mi · 16 min · Roxboro Road

  5. 5

    Continue on North Roxboro Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · North Roxboro Street

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto North Duke Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · North Duke Street

  7. 7

    Turn slight right onto North Gregson Street

    628 ft · 15 sec · North Gregson Street

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Oxford

    1254 ft · 31 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    1924 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 885 South, US 70 East: Raleigh

    2.6 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on East End Connector

    1.7 mi · 2 min · East End Connector

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  14. 14

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

    1.3 km · 58 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Cary

    1091 ft · 23 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Durham Road
10.7 mi · 21%
Roxboro Road
10.7 mi · 21%
I 40 East
8.2 mi · 16%
Durham Freeway
3.9 mi · 8%
North Harrison Avenue
3.13 mi · 6%
North Roxboro Street
2.78 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Durham Road

At the end of the road, turn left onto Durham Road

10.7 mi · 00h 16m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
43.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Durham
00h 32m from Roxboro
Leave By
4:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Roxboro and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 50.3 miles (80.9 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Roxboro and 25.6 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 4:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.05 one way or $14.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Roxboro and Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Durham

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 Durham and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 11.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 4.6 mi away

Durham County Inspections Department

Durham , NC
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 3.5/5 15 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

Creedmoor Police Department

Creedmoor , NC
Creedmoor City Hall, 111 Masonic St, Creedmoor, NC 27522
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Police department,Fire station,Police
Pompieri Pizza
Food stop 4.6 mi away

Pompieri Pizza

Durham , NC
102 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 4.5/5 916 reviews Pizza restaurant,Bar,Family restaurant,Neapolitan restaurant

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Durham

1 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Cary

25 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

28 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

34 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roxboro and Cary. Straight-line distance: 43.1 mi (69.37 km).

Roxboro

#1 Roxboro

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

Population8,383
Coordinates36.3937500, -78.9827900
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Depot Street (-78.982713, 36.39394)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 81 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.78 gal
6.72 L · about $7.05
Round trip
$14.10
3.56 gal · 13.44 L
Estimated CO2
15.8 kg one way
Round trip: 31.6 kg / 70 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.05 $14.10
Mid-grade $4.43 $7.88 $15.77
Premium $4.78 $8.50 $17.01
Diesel $5.62 $10.01 $20.02

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Roxboro and Cary. The current time is 23:36:35.

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.