How far is Wake Forest, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Wake Forest, NC to Cary, NC is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20 miles (32.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wake Forest and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wake Forest and Cary.
-
1
Start on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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2
Continue on East South Avenue
119 m · 14 sec · East South Avenue
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · South Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue
812 ft · 30 sec · South Avenue
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5
Continue on Durham Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Durham Road
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6
Take the ramp left
1087 ft · 27 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Capital Boulevard
4.4 mi · 6 min · Capital Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
3.5 mi · 5 min · Capital Boulevard
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9
Turn right onto Old Wake Forest Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Wake Forest Road
-
10
Turn slight left onto Atlantic Avenue
1997 ft · 44 sec · Atlantic Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Forest Oaks Drive
1697 ft · 41 sec · Forest Oaks Drive
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12
Continue on Old Wake Forest Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Old Wake Forest Road
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13
Turn left onto Wake Forest Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Wake Forest Road
-
14
Take the ramp right
1152 ft · 25 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Western Boulevard: Cary, NC State University
1385 ft · 34 sec
-
17
Keep slight right
131 m · 8 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto Western Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard
-
19
Continue on Hillsborough Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Hillsborough Street
-
20
Continue on East Chatham Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chatham Street
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Durham Road
20 m · 2 sec · East Durham Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto East Durham Road
1923 ft · 41 sec · East Durham Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
862 ft · 24 sec · Chapel Hill Road
-
24
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wake Forest and Cary.
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.
Wake Forest Road
Merge slight left
6.63 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Wake Forest and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wake Forest to Cary?
The road trip is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.9 miles from Wake Forest and 17.7 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20 miles (32.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.28 one way or $8.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wake Forest and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near West Raleigh
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Raleigh.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wake Forest and Cary. Straight-line distance: 20 mi (32.19 km).
#1 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| 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: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.28 | $8.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.78 | $9.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $5.16 | $10.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $6.07 | $12.15 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.