How far is Topsail Beach, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Topsail Beach, NC to Cary, NC is about 146.1 miles (235.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.1 miles (190 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Topsail Beach and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Topsail Beach and Cary.
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1
Start on South Anderson Boulevard
2.8 mi · 6 min · South Anderson Boulevard
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2
Continue on South Shore Drive
2.3 mi · 5 min · South Shore Drive
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3
Continue on South Topsail Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Topsail Drive
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
63 m · 4 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
50 m · 5 sec
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6
Turn straight
1.2 km · 2 min
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Roland Avenue
34 m · 2 sec · Roland Avenue
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Roland Avenue
16.6 mi · 24 min · Roland Avenue
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9
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 8 min
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10
Turn right onto Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Maple Hill Road North
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11
Continue on Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Sycamore Springs Road
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12
Turn right onto Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi · 13 min · Cypress Creek Road
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13
Continue straight
3 mi · 4 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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15
Turn right
10.6 mi · 14 min
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16
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.6 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
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17
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
3.9 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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18
Take the exit right
59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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19
Keep slight left
22.3 mi · 25 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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21
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
-
22
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Topsail Beach 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 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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Topsail Beach and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Topsail Beach to Cary?
The road trip is about 146.1 miles (235.2 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Turkey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.1 miles from Topsail Beach and 73 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.1 miles (190 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 10:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.37 one way or $38.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Topsail Beach and 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.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Topsail Beach and Cary. Straight-line distance: 118.09 mi (190.04 km).
#1 Topsail Beach
Human settlement in Pender County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 438 |
| Coordinates | 34.3651700, -77.6305300 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $19.37 | $38.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $21.83 | $43.65 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $23.87 | $47.73 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $29.51 | $59.02 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026