Trading the inland landscape of Cary for the coastal charm of Southport is a straightforward 168.2-mile journey. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $27, the drive is quite economical for a weekend getaway. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, moving from the inland Southeast region toward the Atlantic coast. Since the trip is manageable in one stint, you have the flexibility to head out early and arrive with plenty of time to explore the waterfront before sunset.
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
84.1 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
105.4 mi
1h 52m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
18.7 mi
20m
NC 87
11.8 mi
16m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11.3 mi
12m
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi
8m
Ocean Highway East
3.9 mi
5m
River Road Southeast
3.4 mi
5m
Chapel Hill Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Southport, 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 right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
12
Merge onto I 140
19 mi·20 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle BeachUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 17
3.9 mi·5 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto NC 87
12 mi·16 min·NC 87
16
Continue on NC 87; NC 133
3.4 mi·5 min·River Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto NC 211
1.2 mi·2 min·North Howe Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
NC 211
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 12-minute commute, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is dominated by interstates, try to time your departure to avoid peak weekday traffic around major junctions. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 105.4-mile stretch on I-40, as services can be spaced out depending on your exact timing. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave mid-morning and still reach the coast by lunchtime. Prioritize a steady pace on the highway sections to ensure you arrive in Southport feeling energized rather than drained.
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 84.1 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 33m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 168.2 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 105.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.6 and 166.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.6 mi into trip|~25m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
6
128 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtl...
8
147.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
6
166.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|NC 211 / North Howe Street
Turn left onto NC 211 / North Howe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.30 one way
$52.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.76
$57.52
premium
$4.70
$31.13
$62.26
diesel
$5.61
$37.14
$74.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.5
0
$17.66
$8.07
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.72
$6.73
EV Truck/SUV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Cary, NC
Night
in Cary on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
S 8 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Southport, NC
Night
in Southport on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
9 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 12m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed transit, with 92% of your travel occurring on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 105.4 miles. After cruising the interstate, you will transition onto the John Jay Burney Jr. Freeway and eventually NC 87 to reach your coastal destination. The character of the drive shifts from the busy, fast-paced interstate environment to more focused, regional roads as you near the coast. Expect a consistent, highway-focused rhythm that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
92% 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: 105.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.6 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 168.2 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 20.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
497 ft17 ft
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
556 ft
Highest Point
497 ft
Elevation Range
480 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 Southport, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
Wilmington
24.5 mi in|~29m|via I 40
Myrtle Beach
128 mi in|~2h 20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 168.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 40. 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 Southport, 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: at 20.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Southport, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
