How far is Wilson, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Wilson, NC to Cary, NC is about 57.1 miles (91.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.8 miles (78.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
57.1 mi
01h 09m
Flight
48.78 mi
78.5 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
48.78 mi
Kilometers
78.5 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.1 mi
Kilometers
91.89 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Wed, Apr 22, 8:20 PM EDT
Return by in Wilson
Wed, Apr 22, 9:30 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilson
2026-04-22T19:11
Arrive Cary
Wed, Apr 22, 8:20 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilson
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Wendell
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Wilson
28.5 mi
00h 34m
To Cary
28.6 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW

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 Hines Street South

    862 ft · 20 sec · Hines Street South

  2. 2

    Continue on Hines Street West

    1.3 km · 1 min · Hines Street West

  3. 3

    Continue on Raleigh Road Parkway West

    6.4 mi · 11 min · Raleigh Road Parkway West

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    2546 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight right

    34 mi · 37 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary

    1262 ft · 29 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Academy Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Academy Street

  14. 14

    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

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Raleigh Road Parkway West
43.6 mi · 76%
Dan K Moore Freeway
5.85 mi · 10%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.26 mi · 7%
Chapel Hill Road
2.23 mi · 4%
Hines Street West
0.78 mi · 1%
NC 54
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

Raleigh Road Parkway West

Merge slight right

34 mi · 00h 37m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
48.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wendell
00h 34m from Wilson
Leave By
4:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Wilson and Sunny 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 57.1 miles (91.9 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

Wendell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.5 miles from Wilson and 28.6 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 48.8 miles (78.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.00 one way or $16.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilson and Sunny near Cary.

Stop Ideas Near Wendell

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Wendell and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 12.9 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Raleigh , NC
13100 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
Rating 4.6/5 86 reviews Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.6 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.1 mi away

City Of Raleigh Fleet Services

Raleigh , NC
2501 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

25 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

29 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

30 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

37 mi away
211 North Academy Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilson and Cary. Straight-line distance: 48.78 mi (78.5 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Wilson

County seat of Wilson County, North Carolina, USA

Population49,643
Coordinates35.7212700, -77.9155400
Altitude33
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Wilson (-77.91554, 35.72127)
End: Cary (-78.78112, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.02 gal
7.63 L · about $8.00
Round trip
$16.00
4.04 gal · 15.26 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 35.9 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $8.00 $16.00
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.95 $17.89
Premium $4.78 $9.65 $19.30
Diesel $5.62 $11.36 $22.72

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

There is no time difference between Wilson and Cary. The current time is 19:11:29.

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.