Origin
Cary, NC
Late night in Cary on Sunday
Local time
4:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Red Oak, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
61.9 mi
100 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Fair
4 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Red Oak, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Cary to Red Oak, expect a straightforward drive covering 61.9 miles. You can comfortably complete this journey in about 1 hour and 12 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes US 64, I-87, and the Dan K Moore Freeway to navigate through the Southeast region of North Carolina. With a fuel cost estimate of just $10, it is a highly budget-friendly commute. Since the drive is short, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it fits your schedule without needing to worry about complex logistics or mid-route accommodations.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 24 mi | 25m |
| I 87 | 20 mi | 21m |
| Dan K Moore Freeway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Red Oak Road | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 64 Business | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Red Oak Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 24 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Red Oak, 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
24 mi
·
25 min
·
US 64
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 64 Business
10
Turn left onto US 64 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 64 Business
11
Continue on Red Oak Road
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Red Oak Road
12
Turn left onto NC 43
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Oak Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
NC 43
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 32.5 — 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...
4
32.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.68 one way
$19.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $10.58 | $21.17 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.46 | $22.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.67 | $27.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.50 | $2.97 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.42 | $2.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.67 | $3.96 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Red Oak, NC
Late night in Red Oak on Sunday
Local time
4:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
1h 12m 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?
This highway-focused drive keeps you on major thoroughfares for 88% of the trip, ensuring a consistent pace. You will find yourself navigating a mix of fast highway stretches and arterial roads that keep the travel time efficient. The longest uninterrupted section consists of 24 miles on US 64, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. Because the majority of your time is spent on high-capacity roads like I-87, the experience is largely about utility and speed rather than technical winding turns. Expect a smooth transition as you move from the Cary area toward the more open roads leading into Red Oak.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 87. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.9 miles you will encounter 8 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: 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.
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 Red Oak, 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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 61.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Red Oak, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Red Oak, 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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