How far is Windsor, NC from Cary, NC?

The driving distance from Windsor, NC to Cary, NC is about 126 miles (202.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.7 miles (166.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m 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
126.03 mi
01h 56m
Flight
103.7 mi
166.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Windsor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
103.7 mi
Kilometers
166.89 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.03 mi
Kilometers
202.82 km
Drive Time
01h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cary
Sat, Apr 11, 9:28 AM EDT
Return by in Windsor
Sat, Apr 11, 11:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Windsor
2026-04-11T07:31
Arrive Cary
Sat, Apr 11, 9:28 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Windsor
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
Dortches
NC

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

From Windsor
62.9 mi
00h 58m
To Cary
63.1 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph N
Destination
83°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Granville Street

    957 ft · 24 sec · East Granville Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    1.3 km · 1 min

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1416 ft · 26 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left

    14.1 mi · 19 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    38.9 mi · 42 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary

    1262 ft · 29 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Chapel Hill Road

  14. 14

    Turn right 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 Windsor 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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Granville Street
99 mi · 79%
Dan K Moore Freeway
5.85 mi · 5%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.26 mi · 3%
Chapel Hill Road
2.23 mi · 2%
NC 54
0.24 mi
North Academy Street
0 mi
Longest Stretch

East Granville Street

Continue straight

56.5 mi · 01h 01m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.3 mi
103.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dortches
00h 58m from Windsor
Leave By
2:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Windsor and Sunny near Cary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 126 miles (202.8 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?

Dortches is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Windsor and 63.1 miles from Cary.

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

The direct path is about 103.7 miles (166.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 2:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.63 one way or $35.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Dortches

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dortches, 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 Dortches.

RAIL

Rocky Mount

10 mi away
101 Hammond Street
RAIL

Wilson

32 mi away
401 East Nash Street
BUS

Greenville, NC

62 mi away
Second and Reade Streets
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

66 mi away
500 East Railroad Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Windsor and Cary. Straight-line distance: 103.7 mi (166.89 km).

Windsor

#1 Windsor

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population3,493
Coordinates35.9984900, -76.9460600
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Cary

#2 Cary

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population173,587
Coordinates35.7915400, -78.7811200
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: East Granville Street (-76.946092, 35.998533)
End: North Academy Street (-78.781127, 35.79154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.83 L · about $17.63
Round trip
$35.25
8.9 gal · 33.66 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.63 $35.25
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.71 $39.42
Premium $4.78 $21.26 $42.52
Diesel $5.62 $25.03 $50.05

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Windsor and Cary. The current time is 07:31:14.

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.