How far is Swansboro, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Swansboro, NC to Cary, NC is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m 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 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Swansboro and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swansboro and Cary.
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1
Start on South Water Street
12 m · 7 sec · South Water Street
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
766 ft · 36 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn slight left onto West Corbett Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · West Corbett Avenue
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4
Continue on Freedom Way
9.3 mi · 12 min · Freedom Way
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5
Continue on Lejeune Boulevard
5 mi · 8 min · Lejeune Boulevard
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Lejeune Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lejeune Boulevard
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7
Turn slight right onto Johnson Boulevard
3144 ft · 57 sec · Johnson Boulevard
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Marine Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Marine Boulevard
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Richlands Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway
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10
Continue on Richlands Highway
5 mi · 8 min · Richlands Highway
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11
Turn left onto Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi · 21 min · Catherine Lake Road
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12
Turn right onto Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Jackson Store Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Hallsville Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn right
5.1 mi · 7 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 Swansboro and Cary.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Swansboro 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 Swansboro to Cary?
The road trip is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?
Turkey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.1 miles from Swansboro and 74.6 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 1:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.64 one way or $41.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Swansboro and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Turkey
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 Turkey.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Swansboro and Cary. Straight-line distance: 120.88 mi (194.54 km).
#1 Swansboro
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,394 |
| Coordinates | 34.6876600, -77.1191200 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: 238 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.64 | $41.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.08 | $46.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.89 | $49.79 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.