Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
103.4 mi
166 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Albemarle, NC
Wikimedia Commons
This 103.4-mile drive from Cary, NC to Albemarle, NC is a straightforward, one-day adventure. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 21 minutes behind the wheel, making it an easy day trip. The route is estimated to cost around $16 for fuel, keeping your budget in check. You'll primarily navigate local roads with some highway sections, offering a varied driving experience. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll be staying within a familiar geographic area for this short journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.7 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| McReynolds Street | 42.2 mi | 59m |
| Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| Jefferson Davis Highway | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| White Hill Road | 10.7 mi | 14m |
| Albemarle Road | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Kildaire Farm Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| NC 24 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Monroe Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Albemarle, NC.
Start on North Academy Street
At end of road, turn left onto Dry Avenue
Continue on Kildaire Farm Road
Turn left onto Southeast Cary Parkway
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1; US 64
Continue on US 1
Turn slight right onto US 15; US 501
Continue on NC 24; NC 27
Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27
Continue on NC 22; NC 24; NC 27
Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27; NC 73
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 52 Business
Continue on US 52 Business
Turn left onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 21-minute duration of this 103.4-mile trip, it's perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow plenty of time for any unexpected delays or spontaneous stops. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $16, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. Pay close attention to the numerous turns characteristic of this route, especially on McReynolds Street, which features the longest stretch at 42.2 miles; keeping your navigation active will be key.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.7 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albemarle, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cary, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cary, NC
This is one driving day of about 103.4 miles and 2h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 51.7 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 102.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto Dry Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73 / Albemarle Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto US 52 Business / South 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$16.17 one way
$32.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.68 | $35.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.14 | $38.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.83 | $45.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31 | 0 | $10.86 | $4.96 |
| Efficient EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.05 | $4.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.48 | $6.62 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Cary on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Albemarle on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This trip is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, straight highway cruise. With a highway share of only 3, most of your time will be spent on local roads like McReynolds Street and Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.2 miles on McReynolds Street, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more turns appear. The driving experience will likely feel engaging and require your attention as you navigate through communities.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Dry Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.8 miles (NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 103.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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