How far is South Gastonia, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from South Gastonia, NC to Cary, NC is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142 miles (228.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m 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 33m.
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 and the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, 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 South Gastonia and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Gastonia and Cary.
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1
Start on Becky Avenue
10 m · 3 sec · Becky Avenue
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2
Continue on Weston Avenue
738 ft · 35 sec · Weston Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Davis Park Road
1677 ft · 45 sec · Davis Park Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto York Highway
1298 ft · 22 sec · York Highway
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5
Continue on South York Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · South York Road
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6
Continue on South York Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South York Street
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7
Turn right onto West Long Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Long Avenue
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8
Continue on East Ozark Avenue
2177 ft · 45 sec · East Ozark Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 85 North
1435 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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11
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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14
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
28.8 mi · 33 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
1091 ft · 23 sec
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17
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
625 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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19
Turn left onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Gastonia 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.
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving South Gastonia 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 South Gastonia to Cary?
The road trip is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
Thomasville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.4 miles from South Gastonia and 90.5 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142 miles (228.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.9 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 9:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.27 one way or $50.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South Gastonia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasville
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 Thomasville.
High Point
Lexington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Gastonia and Cary. Straight-line distance: 141.98 mi (228.5 km).
#1 South Gastonia
Unincorporated community
| Population | 5,312 |
| Coordinates | 35.2193000, -81.2056300 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| 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: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.27 | $50.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.26 | $56.51 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.48 | $60.97 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.88 | $71.76 |
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.