How far is Washington, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Washington, NC to Cary, NC is about 116.6 miles (187.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98.5 miles (158.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m 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 01h 46m.
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.
Human settlement in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Washington and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington and Cary.
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1
Start on West 5th Street
3.6 mi · 6 min · West 5th Street
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2
Continue on Pactolus Highway
14.2 mi · 18 min · Pactolus Highway
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3
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Highway
9.8 mi · 12 min · Martin Luther King Junior Highway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 587 West: Wilson
2280 ft · 56 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John P East Memorial Highway
32.5 mi · 35 min · John P East Memorial Highway
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6
Merge slight right
40.8 mi · 44 min
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7
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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9
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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10
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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11
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
1262 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road
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14
Turn right onto North Academy Street
7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington and Cary.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John P East Memorial Highway
Merge slight right
40.8 mi · 00h 44m
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 Washington 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 Washington to Cary?
The road trip is about 116.6 miles (187.7 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Black Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.2 miles from Washington and 58.4 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 98.5 miles (158.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 2:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.32 one way or $32.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Washington and Mostly Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Black Creek
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 Black Creek.
Wilson
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Rocky Mount
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington and Cary. Straight-line distance: 98.51 mi (158.54 km).
#1 Washington
City in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 9,487 |
| Coordinates | 35.5465500, -77.0521700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.32 | $32.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.25 | $36.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $19.69 | $39.37 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
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.