Origin
Cary, NC
Late night in Cary on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Midland, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
122.9 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Midland, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
This 122.9-mile drive from Cary, NC, to Midland, NC, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. You'll primarily travel on US 64 and NC 49, with a portion on Warren C. Coleman Boulevard, making for an 81% highway experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $19, and you'll encounter just one planned stop. Given its manageable length and straightforward highway focus, this route is perfect for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, keeping the travel geographically consistent.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.4 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 52.8 mi | 1h 13m |
| NC 49 | 47 mi | 1h 2m |
| Warren C. Coleman Boulevard | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| East Dixie Drive | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Old Apex Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Richard K. Pugh Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North Salem Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Chatham Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 52.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Midland, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
24 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Academy Street
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
3
Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Harrison Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto West Chatham Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Chatham Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Old Apex Road
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old Apex Road
6
Continue on Old Apex Road
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Apex Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on North Salem Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Salem Street
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Pittsboro
9
Merge onto US 64
53 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Richard K. Pugh Highway
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East Dixie Drive
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn slight right
312 ft
·
11 sec
13
Turn slight right onto Brookway Road
314 ft
·
12 sec
·
Brookway Road
14
Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Albemarle Road
15
Continue on NC 49
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NC 49
37 mi
·
48 min
·
NC 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward US 601, NC 73 Truck West: Concord, Monroe
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto US 601; NC 73 Truck
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Warren C. Coleman Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Barberry Avenue
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Barberry Avenue
20
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Broadway Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Broadway Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under three hours, this route offers considerable flexibility for your departure time. Leaving mid-morning will allow you to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Cary area and still arrive in Midland with plenty of daylight. Since the drive is relatively short and has an estimated fuel cost of $19, you won't need frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before heading out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 52.8-mile stretch on US 64, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.4 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.4 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midland, 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 122.9 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 52.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.4 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 111.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Harrison Avenue
Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
58.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Ashebo...
6
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
Albemarle Road
Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
111.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 601, NC 73 Truck West: Concord, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 601, NC 73 Truck West: Concord, Monro...
6
111.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
US 601; NC 73 Truck / Warren C. Coleman Boulevard
Turn left onto US 601; NC 73 Truck / Warren C. Coleman Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.22 one way
$38.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.01 | $42.03 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.75 | $45.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.90 | $5.90 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.75 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.21 | $7.87 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Midland, NC
Late night in Midland on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
1 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
2h 50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 81% of the route utilizing faster roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 52.8 miles on US 64, offering a period of consistent travel. While primarily highway, the route incorporates sections of US 64 and NC 49, which can sometimes transition from more open highway speeds to slightly more varied conditions as you pass through different areas. This blend means you'll experience sustained driving on established routes with some potential for variations in the surrounding landscape.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.8 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and NC 49. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Harrison Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Harrison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles (Albemarle Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
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 Midland, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
111.1 mi in
|
~2h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 122.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.8 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Harrison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles (Albemarle Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Midland, NC before heading back.
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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