Driving from Cary to Kill Devil Hills covers 211.6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. This highway-focused route relies primarily on US 64 and US 64 ALT, making it a straightforward journey across the North Carolina Southeast region. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, though be prepared to spend about $34 on fuel for the round-trip transition. Because this is a direct drive between two points in the same state, you won't experience significant regional shifts, but the transition from the inland suburbs to the coast provides a clear change in scenery. It is a highly practical drive that avoids complex navigation, perfect if you are looking to maximize your time at the 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
105.8 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
105.8 mi
2h 1m
United States Highway 64 East
40.5 mi
49m
US 64 ALT
20.2 mi
28m
I 87
20 mi
21m
South Croatan Highway
9.8 mi
16m
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi
8m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi
3m
U.S. Highway 64 East
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 105.8 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,646 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~369 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Kill Devil Hills, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
24 ft·7 sec·North Academy Street
2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
7.1 mi·8 min·Dan K Moore Freeway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.8 mi·3 min·I 87; I 440; US 64
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64
17 mi·18 min·I 87; US 64
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, GreenvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
80 mi·1 hr 26 min·US 64
9
Turn right onto US 64 ALT
20 mi·28 min·US 64 ALT
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 64; NC 32
1.0 mi·1 min·United States Highway 64 East
11
Continue on US 64; NC 32
2.3 mi·3 min·U.S. Highway 64 East
12
Continue on US 64
40 mi·47 min·United States Highway 64 East
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
26 mi·35 min·US 64
14
Continue on US 64
516 ft·10 sec·South Virginia Dare Trail
15
Continue on US 158
9.8 mi·16 min·South Croatan Highway
16
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·West 3rd Street
17
Turn left onto Creek Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Creek Street
18
Arrive at destination
Creek Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 18-minute drive as smooth as possible, aim to leave Cary early to avoid potential congestion on the main highways. Since the route is manageable in one day, you only need to plan for about one main stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate assumes efficient driving conditions; having a plan for your stop can help you avoid unnecessary delays. Given the high percentage of highway driving, consider setting a steady pace to make the most of the long stretches on US 64. Using that single planned stop effectively will ensure you arrive in Kill Devil Hills ready to enjoy the coast.
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 105.8 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kill Devil Hills, 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 211.6 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 US 64 for about 105.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 112 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chapel Hill Road
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway
Merge onto I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
12.5 mi into trip|~15m in|I 87; I 440; US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64 toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rock...
8
15.3 mi into trip|~19m in|I 87; US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64 toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...
6
112 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|US 64 ALT
Turn right onto US 64 ALT
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.24 one way
$62.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.33
$68.66
premium
$4.49
$37.42
$74.84
diesel
$4.80
$39.95
$79.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.46
EV Truck/SUV
84.6
1
$29.62
$13.54
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cary, NC
Morning
in Cary on Sunday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 9 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Kill Devil Hills, NC
Morning
in Kill Devil Hills on Sunday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 20 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 7:48PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
71°F
Washington, NC
106 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 18m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
National Memorial
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by highway travel, as 94% of your mileage is spent on major thoroughfares. The road maintains a consistent personality, characterized by long, steady stretches of pavement that keep your travel time efficient. You will encounter a substantial 105.8-mile stretch on US 64, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is designed for speed and directness, the character of the road remains focused on steady progress rather than technical maneuvers. You should prepare for a drive that prioritizes reliability and sustained speeds over winding backroads or constant stop-and-go traffic.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and United States Highway 64 East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chapel Hill Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 211.6 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: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
497 ft0 ft
Total Climb
43 ft
Total Descent
532 ft
Highest Point
497 ft
Elevation Range
497 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cary, NC and Kill Devil Hills, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.
Wilson
15.3 mi in|~19m|via I 87; US 64
Greenville
15.3 mi in|~19m|via I 87; US 64
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Page-Walker Hotel — historic house in North Carolina, United States
Kill Devil Hills is a colorfully-named town on the coast of North Carolina. It is part of the Outer Banks, and is best known for its association with the Wright Brothers' historic flights in the first airplane in 1903. The flights are usually associated with Kitty Hawk, but actually took place here. A national monument and museum marks the site.
Top landmarks
•Wright Brothers National Memorial — located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, commemorates the first successful,...
•Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center — United States National Historic Landmark National Park Service visitor center
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 211.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Kill Devil Hills, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wright Brothers National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kill Devil Hills, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
