How far is Waxhaw, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance from Waxhaw, NC to Cary, NC is about 153.9 miles (247.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.8 miles (202.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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 53m.
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 Richmond County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waxhaw and Cary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waxhaw and Cary.
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1
Start on East South Main Street
2495 ft · 42 sec · East South Main Street
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2
Continue on Waxhaw Highway
6.6 mi · 10 min · Waxhaw Highway
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Waxhaw Highway
61 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Highway
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Highway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Highway
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5
Continue on West Franklin Street
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Franklin Street
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6
Turn right onto East Roosevelt Boulevard
1.8 mi · 2 min · East Roosevelt Boulevard
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7
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
5.3 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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8
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
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9
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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10
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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12
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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13
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
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14
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
5.3 mi · 8 min
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16
Turn left onto West Green Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West Green Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi · 53 min · Fayetteville Road
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18
Take the exit slight right
3251 ft · 43 sec
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19
Merge slight left
41.9 mi · 48 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Tryon Road
1739 ft · 42 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Tryon Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Tryon Road
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22
Turn left onto Kildaire Farm Road
3.1 mi · 7 min · Kildaire Farm Road
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23
Turn right onto South Academy Street
3087 ft · 2 min · South Academy Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waxhaw and Cary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Fayetteville Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi · 00h 53m
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 Waxhaw and Sunny near Cary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waxhaw to Cary?
The road trip is about 153.9 miles (247.7 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Hoffman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Waxhaw and 79.2 miles from Cary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.8 miles (202.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 12:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.51 one way or $43.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waxhaw and Sunny near Cary.
Stop Ideas Near Hoffman
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 Hoffman.
Southern Pines
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waxhaw and Cary. Straight-line distance: 125.75 mi (202.38 km).
#1 Waxhaw
Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 17,987 |
| Coordinates | 34.9245900, -80.7434000 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.51 | $43.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.05 | $48.10 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.54 | $61.08 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.