Marion Rest Area - Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Cary, NC to Brevard, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 23m
Distance
267.4 mi
430 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 10m
★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 33m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 49m
8 PM
5h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Brevard, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cary to Brevard is 267.4 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so expect efficient travel time. This route is well-suited for those who prefer to cover distance quickly before reaching their destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.7 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 175.1 mi | 3h 21m |
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 59.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| Boylston Highway | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| Sweeten Creek Road | 7 mi | 12m |
| Asheville Highway | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| US 64 | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Airport Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 175.1 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Brevard, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
24 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Academy Street
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
3
Turn right onto SR 1652
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
60 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
153 mi
·
2 hr 54 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 25 Alternate: Asheville
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 25A
7.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Sweeten Creek Road
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on NC 280
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Airport Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on NC 280
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
New Airport Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on NC 280
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Boylston Highway
15
Continue on NC 280
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Asheville Highway
16
Continue on US 64; US 276
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 64; US 276
17
Enter roundabout onto US 64; US 276
167 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 64; US 276
18
Continue on US 64; US 276
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 64; US 276
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 23m duration, starting your drive in Cary early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 175.1 miles on I 40, so plan your primary fuel and rest stop before or after this segment. With a total estimated fuel cost of $42, it's a budget-friendly option for a single day. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an early start will allow for a more relaxed pace and potential for brief stops along the way. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 40 to Dan K. Moore Frwy as a key point to reorient yourself.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.7 miles from Cary, NC, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.1 miles.
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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brevard, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 267.4 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 175.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.7 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 175.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
McDowell County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
I-26 Henderson County Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
I-26 Buncombe County Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 63.6 and 239 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
71.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
6
238.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 25 Alternate: Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 25 Alternate: Asheville
6
239 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m in
|
US 25A / Sweeten Creek Road
Turn left onto US 25A / Sweeten Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.82 one way
$83.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $45.72 | $91.44 |
| premium | $4.70 | $49.49 | $98.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.04 | $118.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.2 | 0 | $28.08 | $12.84 |
| Efficient EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.40 | $10.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107 | 1 | $37.44 | $17.11 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Cary, NC
Morning in Cary on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brevard, NC
Morning in Brevard on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-based, with 67% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 175.1 miles on I 40, indicating extended highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur after this long highway segment, as you move onto Boylston Highway. Expect to notice the increasing density of exits as you approach areas off the main interstate, before settling into more rural driving.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.6 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 267.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 63.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cary, NC to Brevard, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.
Statesville
83.8 mi in
|
~1h 40m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting in Cary, NC
Full guide →Cary is a town in the Research Triangle of North Carolina. It is primarily a fast-growing suburb of Raleigh, the state capital, but has developed some economic gravity of its own. Cary is known throughout the area for having a very high population of non-native residents. The name of the city is jokingly referred to as standing for Containment/Concentration Area for Relocated Yankees.
Arriving in Brevard, NC
Full guide →Brevard is a city in the Western North Carolina Mountains near Asheville and Hendersonville, North Carolina. Known for its concentration of waterfalls, Tranyslvania County is also known for its music, arts and outdoor recreation. Brevard, the county seat, is the center of commerce and tourism for the region.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 267.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brevard, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 63.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brevard, NC before the return drive.
How this page is built
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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