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Trip from Clyde, NC to Cary, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 10m

Distance

264.3 mi

425 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 57m ★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m

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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town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States of America

Clyde, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cary, NC, NC

Cary, NC

C k

Trip Overview

This 264.3-mile drive from Clyde, NC, to Cary, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. The majority of your journey, 98%, will be on highways, making it a straightforward and efficient route. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, it's an economical option for a relatively short road trip within the Southeast region. Given the direct nature of the drive, you'll spend most of your time on US 74 and I-40, so plan for a highway-focused experience. This route is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

132.1 miles from Clyde, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 74 184.2 mi 3h 32m
I 40 75.1 mi 1h 28m
North Harrison Avenue 3.1 mi 5m
Carolina Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 0.6 mi <1m
Chapel Hill Road 0.1 mi <1m
Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Depot Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 74 — 184.2 mi, about 3h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clyde, NC and Cary, NC.

1

Start on Depot Street

125 ft · 9 sec · Depot Street
2

Turn left onto Main Street

130 ft · 6 sec · Main Street
3

Turn right onto US 19; US 23

0.7 mi · 1 min · Carolina Boulevard
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
5

Merge onto US 74; US 64 Truck

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck

184 mi · 3 hr 32 min · US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 East: Asheville Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

29 mi · 33 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward Cary Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto SR 1652

3.1 mi · 5 min · North Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
14

Turn left onto North Academy Street

24 ft · 0 sec · North Academy Street
15

Arrive at destination

North Academy Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 10-minute drive, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Cary. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $41, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Since the longest stretch is 184.2 miles on US 74, consider taking your main break shortly before or after this segment to stretch your legs. The high highway share means you'll have plenty of opportunities for fuel and rest stops along I-40, so don't overthink where to pull over. Just keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you head into the final leg.

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 132.1 miles from Clyde, NC, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.2 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cary, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clyde, 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 Clyde, NC

This is one driving day of about 264.3 miles and 5h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Clyde, 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 74 for about 184.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Maine, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maine, NC

132 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

Asheville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Taylorsville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.1 miles from Clyde, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 184.2 miles.

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 coffee break · first break window

Sunny Point Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Asheville, North Carolina

Near the start, short detour

First break · 22min in 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 8:30 AM–2 PM

+18282520055

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

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

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Sunny Point Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 AM–2 PM

+18282520055

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

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

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

Rivian Adventure Network

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761496

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 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 end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Alamance County Historical Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Burlington, NC

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13362268254

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 260.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 74; US 64 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck toward I 40 East: Asheville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 40 East: Asheville
8
185.8 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
6
195.3 mi into trip | ~3h 48m 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.
7
232 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
6
260.8 mi into trip | ~5h 3m in

Take the exit toward Cary

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Cary

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.02 one way

$78.04 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.12 $42.88 $85.76
premium $4.49 $46.74 $93.48
diesel $4.80 $49.90 $99.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.3 0 $27.75 $12.69
Efficient EV 66.1 0 $23.13 $10.57
EV Truck/SUV 105.7 1 $37.00 $16.92

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Clyde, NC

Late night in Clyde on Sunday

Local time

2:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

0 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

Destination

Cary, NC

Late night in Cary on Sunday

Local time

2:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

86°F

Maine, NC

132 mi in

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

13 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

5h 10m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that's almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 264.3 miles spent on major roadways like US 74 and I-40. This means you'll encounter a consistent pace for most of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 184.2 miles, primarily on US 74, so settle in for a significant period of steady driving. While the route is predominantly highway, the transition onto North Harrison Avenue signals your approach to the destination. Overall, it's a profile that prioritizes getting you there efficiently rather than offering winding scenic byways.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 184.2 mi on US 74.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 74 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near US 74; US 64 Truck.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 264.3 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 1.5 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,536 ft 288 ft

Total Climb

582 ft

Total Descent

2,621 ft

Highest Point

2,536 ft

Elevation Range

2,248 ft

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 Clyde, NC to Cary, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.

Martinsville

185.8 mi in | ~3h 35m | via I 40

About the Cities

Starting in Clyde, NC

Full guide →

Arriving in Cary, NC

Full guide →

Founded 1750

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Page-Walker Hotel — historic house in North Carolina, United States

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 5h 10m. Total distance: 264.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 184.2 miles on US 74. 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 Cary, 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 1.5 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cary, NC before the return drive.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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