How far is Wilson, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Wilson, NC to Cary, NC is about 233 miles (374.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 205 miles (329.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
232.95 mi
03h 32m
Flight
205 mi
329.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
205 mi
Kilometers
329.92 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
232.95 mi
Kilometers
374.9 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Sat, May 23, 9:23 AM EDT
Return by in Wilson
Sat, May 23, 12:56 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilson
2026-05-23T05:50
Arrive Cary
Sat, May 23, 9:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:54 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilson
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Mocksville
NC

City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Wilson
116.3 mi
01h 46m
To Cary
116.6 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Patchy Fog

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph SE
Destination
84°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wilson and Cary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilson and Cary.

  1. 1

    Start on Superior Way

    1125 ft · 53 sec · Superior Way

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Buckeye Cove Road

    945 ft · 28 sec · Buckeye Cove Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Buckeye Access Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Buckeye Access Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Patton Cove Road

    103 m · 11 sec · Patton Cove Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    888 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    152.3 mi · 2 hr 53 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    28.8 mi · 33 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Cary

    1091 ft · 23 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Harrison Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    625 ft · 26 sec · Chapel Hill Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilson and Cary.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Patton Cove Road
153 mi · 65%
I 40 East
75.3 mi · 32%
North Harrison Avenue
3.13 mi · 1%
Buckeye Access Road
1.52 mi · 1%
Superior Way
0.21 mi
Buckeye Cove Road
0.18 mi
Longest Stretch

Patton Cove Road

Merge slight left

152 mi · 02h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28 mi
205 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mocksville
01h 46m from Wilson
Leave By
9:54 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog leaving Wilson and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wilson to Cary?

The road trip is about 233 miles (374.9 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?

Mocksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.3 miles from Wilson and 116.6 miles from Cary.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 205 miles (329.9 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 9:54 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.56 one way or $65.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Wilson and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Mocksville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mocksville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mocksville.

RAIL

Salisbury

26 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Lexington

29 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

36 mi away
100 West 5th Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

37 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilson and Cary. Straight-line distance: 205 mi (329.92 km).

Wilson

#1 Wilson

The most populous city in Wilson County, North Carolina.

Population49,479
Coordinates35.5940000, -82.4265100
Altitude682
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Superior Way (-82.426508, 35.593913)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 375 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.22 gal
31.12 L · about $32.56
Round trip
$65.12
16.44 gal · 62.24 L
Estimated CO2
73.1 kg one way
Round trip: 146.1 kg / 322 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $32.56 $65.12
Mid-grade $4.43 $36.41 $72.81
Premium $4.78 $39.28 $78.55
Diesel $5.62 $46.23 $92.46

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 · May 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Wilson and Cary. The current time is 05:50:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.