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Trip from Cary, NC to Moyock, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

182 mi

293 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cary, NC, NC

Cary, NC

C k

human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America

Moyock, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 182-mile drive from Cary, NC, to Moyock, NC, takes approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey primarily using US 158, US 64, and I-87, with 72% of the route on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this trip is well-suited for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a familiar landscape throughout. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the driving time.

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

91 miles from Cary, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 158 30.4 mi 34m
US 64 27.1 mi 29m
I 87 20 mi 21m
US 13 11.4 mi 12m
Thirteen Bridges Road 10.9 mi 15m
US 258 8.7 mi 12m
Watson Seed Farm Road 7.5 mi 10m
Dan K Moore Freeway 7.1 mi 8m
Longest stretch: US 158 — 30.4 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Moyock, 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, Greenville Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

27 mi · 29 min · US 64
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 95
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 95 North
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 95 North
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
13

Merge onto I 95

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 95
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward NC 4, NC 48: Gold Rock, Battleboro, Rocky Mount
15

Enter roundabout

22 ft · 0 sec
16

Continue

0.1 mi · 14 sec
17

Turn left onto NC 4; NC 48

1.0 mi · 1 min · NC 4; NC 48
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto Watson Seed Farm Road

7.5 mi · 10 min · Watson Seed Farm Road
19

Continue on Moore Farm Road

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Moore Farm Road
20

At end of road, turn left onto US 301

3.6 mi · 5 min · US 301
21

Turn right onto Whitaker Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Whitaker Street
22

Continue on Thirteen Bridges Road

11 mi · 15 min · Thirteen Bridges Road
23

Continue on Moonlight Road

4.5 mi · 6 min · Moonlight Road
24

Turn right onto NC 561

2.2 mi · 2 min · NC 561
25

Turn slight left

301 ft · 9 sec
26

Turn left onto US 258; NC 561

8.7 mi · 12 min · US 258; NC 561
27

Turn slight right onto NC 561

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Short Street
28

Turn slight right onto NC 305; NC 561

6.2 mi · 9 min · East Jackson Street
29

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 305; NC 561

5.5 mi · 7 min · NC 305; NC 561
30

Turn right onto NC 561

4.0 mi · 6 min · NC 561
31

Turn left onto NC 11

3.1 mi · 4 min · Short Cut Road
32

Continue on US 13

11 mi · 12 min · US 13
33

Turn right onto US 158

30 mi · 34 min · US 158
34

Keep slight left at fork onto US 158

113 ft · 10 sec · US 158
35

Turn sharp left onto US 17

1.5 mi · 1 min · North Road Street
36

Take the exit onto US 17 BUS

1.1 mi · 2 min · US 17 BUS
37

Keep slight right at fork onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Main Street
38

Turn straight onto NC 343

0.6 mi · 1 min · NC Highway 343 South
39

Turn left onto Bunker Hill Road

1.4 mi · 3 min · Bunker Hill Road
40

At end of road, turn left onto Old Swamp Road

4.7 mi · 11 min · Old Swamp Road
41

Continue on South Mills Road

4.9 mi · 7 min · South Mills Road
42

At end of road, turn right onto NC 168

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Caratoke Highway
43

Arrive at destination

NC 168

Trip Plan

Given its 3-hour 57-minute duration, this 182-mile journey is easily manageable as a day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Moyock with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $28, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 30.4-mile stretch on US 158, to ensure a smooth trip without unnecessary detours.

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 91 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 40 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91 miles or 1h 50m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moyock, 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 182 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 158 for about 30.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Roanoke Rapids, NC

91 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

Louisburg, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roanoke Rapids, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Claudine's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rich Square, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 2h 15m in / 1h 42m to go 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12525392266

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wendell, North Carolina

2.7 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

3 mi

Claudine's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Rich Square, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12525392266

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe'

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Bunn, North Carolina

+19194963076

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Aulander, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Rich Square, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVGateway Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Nashville, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Turnipseed Nature Preserve - Hunt Valley Trail Entrance

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19196049326

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 59.9 — 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...
5
59.9 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 95 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.46 one way

$56.92 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $31.12 $62.24
premium $4.70 $33.68 $67.37
diesel $5.61 $40.18 $80.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.6 0 $19.11 $8.74
Efficient EV 45.5 0 $15.92 $7.28
EV Truck/SUV 72.8 0 $25.48 $11.65

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Cary, NC

Late night in Cary on Tuesday

Local time

5:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

NW 3 to 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Moyock, NC

Late night in Moyock on Tuesday

Local time

5:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°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

16 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

3h 57m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 182-mile trip, with 72% of it spent on faster roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.4 miles on US 158, offering a good chance to settle into a rhythm. The route utilizes major roads like US 158, US 64, and I-87, suggesting a mix of efficient travel and potentially some more local road sections as you navigate between them. The overall feel is one of practical, direct transit.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.4 mi on US 158.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 158 and US 64. 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 Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 182 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.

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 Moyock, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville, Battleboro and Rocky Mount.

Wilson

15.3 mi in | ~19m | via I 87; US 64

Greenville

15.3 mi in | ~19m | via I 87; US 64

Battleboro

66.9 mi in | ~1h 16m

Rocky Mount

66.9 mi in | ~1h 16m

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.

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 3h 57m. Total distance: 182 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.4 miles on US 158. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Moyock, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Moyock, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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