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Trip from Cary, NC to Washington, 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 14m

Distance

113.5 mi

183 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

5 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 5m ★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m

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

city in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States of America

Washington, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Cary, NC to Washington, NC is 113.5 miles and takes about 2h 14m via US 264, I 87, and Dan K Moore Freeway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that is predominantly on highways, making it a straightforward journey. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering a simple way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

56.7 miles from Cary, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 264 73.7 mi 1h 24m
I 87 20 mi 21m
Dan K Moore Freeway 7.1 mi 8m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway 3.2 mi 3m
Stantonsburg Road 2.5 mi 3m
Chapel Hill Road 2 mi 3m
South Memorial Drive 2 mi 3m
Mumford Road 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 264 — 73.7 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Washington, 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 right at fork onto US 264

56 mi · 59 min · US 264
9

Turn straight onto Stantonsburg Road

2.5 mi · 3 min · Stantonsburg Road
Toward Greenville, Downtown
10

Turn left onto US 13; NC 11; NC 43; NC 903

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Drive
Use the straight lane.
11

Turn right onto Airport Road

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Airport Road
12

Continue on Mumford Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Mumford Road
13

At end of road, turn right onto NC 33

0.8 mi · 1 min · Pactolus Highway
14

Continue on US 264

18 mi · 24 min · US 264
15

Arrive at destination

US 264; NC 92

Trip Plan

With a drive time of just over two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Cary, NC in the morning allows ample time to reach Washington, NC by midday, leaving your afternoon open. The relatively short distance means you can easily manage this as a single-day excursion without needing overnight accommodations. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a break is over 73 miles; ensure you're topped off before departing Cary to comfortably cover this segment. Given the highway-centric nature, plan for efficient travel with fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.7 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 25 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.7 miles or 1h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 113.5 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 264 for about 73.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Elm City, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elm City, NC

57 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

Archer Lodge, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elm City, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.7 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 264 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wendell, North Carolina

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.3

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

2.4 mi

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

3 mi

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.3

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

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

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 89.2

Greenville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 89.2

Greenville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 89.2

Greenville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 48.6

Wilson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 48.6

Wilson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12522377200

Visit website

Hyundai Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 89.2

Greenville, North Carolina

InCharge Energy Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 48.6

Wilson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 89.2

Greenville, North Carolina

+18333994638

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 8.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 8.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Town Common

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 89.2

Greenville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12523294567

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 16.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

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

Turnipseed Nature Preserve - Hunt Valley Trail Entrance

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 24.3

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 9

5 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 264

Keep slight right at fork onto US 264

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.75 one way

$35.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.41 $38.81
premium $4.70 $21.01 $42.01
diesel $5.61 $25.06 $50.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Harrison Square - Tesla Supercharger

Cary, NC

Tesla

24 DCFC

Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger

Morrisville, NC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Shoppes of Kildaire

Cary, NC

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Crossroads Ford

Apex, NC

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Leith Nissan

Cary, NC

Non-Networked

1 DCFC

Tesla: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 eVgo Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.1 0 $11.92 $5.45
Efficient EV 28.4 0 $9.93 $4.54
EV Truck/SUV 45.4 0 $15.89 $7.26

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cary, NC

Late night in Cary on Sunday

Local time

12:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington, NC

Late night in Washington on Sunday

Local time

12:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°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

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

2h 14m 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 route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 92% of the journey taking place on high-speed roads like US 264, I 87, and the Dan K Moore Freeway. You'll experience a consistent pace for most of the trip, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 73.7 miles on US 264. The character of the drive remains largely highway-oriented throughout, meaning you'll likely encounter smooth, direct travel for the majority of the 113.5 miles. Prepare for efficient travel with minimal slowdowns.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 264 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 264 and I 87. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chapel Hill Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 113.5 miles you will encounter 9 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.

Between Cary, NC and Washington, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville and Downtown.

Wilson

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

Greenville

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

Downtown

88.4 mi in | ~1h 37m | via Stantonsburg Road

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 113.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cary, NC to Washington, NC covers 113.5 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 264, I 87, Dan K Moore Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56.7 miles from Cary, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.5 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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.

Between Cary, NC and Washington, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville and Downtown.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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