How far is Surf City, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Surf City, NC to Cary, NC is about 139.6 miles (224.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.3 miles (188.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 23m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surf City and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surf City and Cary.
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1
Start on Roland Avenue
18 m · 3 sec · Roland Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North New River Drive
78 m · 7 sec · North New River Drive
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
4 m · 1 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
50 m · 5 sec
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5
Turn straight
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Roland Avenue
34 m · 2 sec · Roland Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Roland Avenue
16.6 mi · 24 min · Roland Avenue
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8
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 8 min
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9
Turn right onto Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Maple Hill Road North
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10
Continue on Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Sycamore Springs Road
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11
Turn right onto Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi · 13 min · Cypress Creek Road
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12
Continue straight
3 mi · 4 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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14
Turn right
10.6 mi · 14 min
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15
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.6 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
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16
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
3.9 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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17
Take the exit right
59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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18
Keep slight left
22.3 mi · 25 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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20
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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21
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surf City and Cary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Kenansville Bypass
Take the exit right
59.8 mi · 01h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Surf City and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surf City to Cary?
The road trip is about 139.6 miles (224.7 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.9 miles from Surf City and 69.7 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.3 miles (188.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 1:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.53 one way or $39.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surf City and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surf City and Cary. Straight-line distance: 117.3 mi (188.78 km).
#1 Surf City
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey
| Population | 2,532 |
| Coordinates | 34.4271100, -77.5460800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.53 | $39.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.83 | $43.67 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.56 | $47.11 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $27.73 | $55.45 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.