How far is South Henderson, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from South Henderson, NC to Cary, NC is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m 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
56.87 mi
01h 10m
Flight
41.38 mi
66.59 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Henderson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.38 mi
Kilometers
66.59 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.87 mi
Kilometers
91.53 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Fri, Apr 17, 6:23 PM EDT
Return by in South Henderson
Fri, Apr 17, 7:33 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Henderson
2026-04-17T17:13
Arrive Cary
Fri, Apr 17, 6:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Henderson
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
Butner
NC

Town of the United States

From South Henderson
28.5 mi
00h 35m
To Cary
28.5 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W
Destination
89°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Henderson and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on Nicholas Street

    8 m · 9 sec · Nicholas Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto Miriam Avenue

    712 ft · 23 sec · Miriam Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Raleigh Road

    3231 ft · 1 min · Raleigh Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Dabney Drive

    2 mi · 4 min · Dabney Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1561 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    33.9 mi · 37 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 885 South, US 70 East: Raleigh

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on East End Connector

    1.7 mi · 2 min · East End Connector

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  11. 11

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

    1.3 km · 58 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Cary

    1091 ft · 23 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 26 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Henderson 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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dabney Drive
36.2 mi · 64%
I 40 East
8.2 mi · 14%
Durham Freeway
3.9 mi · 7%
North Harrison Avenue
3.13 mi · 6%
I 885 South
2.83 mi · 5%
East End Connector
1.7 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Dabney Drive

Merge slight left

33.9 mi · 00h 37m

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 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
41.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Butner
00h 35m from South Henderson
Leave By
4:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving South Henderson and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Henderson to Cary?

The road trip is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

Butner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.5 miles from South Henderson and 28.5 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 4:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Henderson and Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Butner

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 Butner and the surrounding midpoint area.
Pompieri Pizza
Food stop 10.7 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
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 10.7 mi away

Durham One Call

Durham , NC
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 2.5/5 35 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 4.1 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
Spanglish
Food stop 10.7 mi away

Spanglish

Durham , NC
104 City Hall Plaza Suite 101, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 4.4/5 188 reviews Restaurant

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Durham

20 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Cary

38 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

38 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

41 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Henderson and Cary. Straight-line distance: 41.38 mi (66.59 km).

South Henderson

#1 South Henderson

Census designated place

Population1,213
Coordinates36.3082000, -78.4066600
Altitude154
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: South Henderson (-78.40666, 36.3082)
End: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.01 gal
7.6 L · about $7.96
Round trip
$15.92
4.02 gal · 15.2 L
Estimated CO2
17.9 kg one way
Round trip: 35.7 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.96 $15.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.90 $17.80
Premium $4.78 $9.60 $19.21
Diesel $5.62 $11.30 $22.61

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between South Henderson and Cary. The current time is 17:13:05.

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.