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Trip from Hemby Bridge, NC to Cary, 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 7m

Distance

146.1 mi

235 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

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 Hemby Bridge, NC, NC

Hemby Bridge, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Downtown Cary, NC, NC

Cary, NC

C k

Trip Overview

This 146.1-mile journey from Hemby Bridge, NC to Cary, NC is a straightforward drive perfect for a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 7 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $23. The route primarily follows Fayetteville Road and US 1, with a portion on the Monroe Expressway, offering a mixed driving experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is ideal as a day excursion, allowing you ample flexibility. Both your origin and destination are located within the Southeast region, so you'll remain in familiar territory throughout your travels.

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

73.1 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Fayetteville Road 43.4 mi 52m
US 1 41.9 mi 47m
Monroe Expressway 16.4 mi 19m
W. Cliff Martin Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Andrew Jackson Highway 10.2 mi 13m
US 74 BUS 5.3 mi 7m
Kildaire Farm Road 3.1 mi 6m
West Marshville Boulevard 2.9 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Fayetteville Road — 43.4 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Indian Trail Fairview Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Indian Trail Fairview Road
Use the straight lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham Use the right lane.
3

Merge onto US 74 BYP

16 mi · 19 min · Monroe Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Merge onto US 74

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on US 74

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
6

Continue on US 74

2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
7

Continue on US 74

6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
9

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

0.7 mi · 1 min · Salisbury Street
10

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

2.4 mi · 4 min · West Caswell Street
11

Continue on US 74

10 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 74 BUS
Exit 306 Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto West Green Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Green Street
14

At end of road, turn left onto US 1

43 mi · 52 min · Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 42 sec
16

Merge onto US 1

42 mi · 47 min · US 1
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward Tryon Road
18

Turn straight onto Tryon Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Tryon Road
Use the straight lane.
19

Turn left onto Kildaire Farm Road

3.1 mi · 6 min · Kildaire Farm Road
Use the left lane.
20

Turn right onto South Academy Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Academy Street
Use the right lane.
21

Arrive at destination

North Academy Street

Trip Plan

For this 1-day trip covering 146.1 miles, an early morning departure is recommended to maximize your time. With a total duration of just over 3 hours, you can comfortably complete the drive without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the journey and perhaps refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and remember that the longest uninterrupted stretch is 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road, so make sure you're comfortable before embarking on that segment.

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 73.1 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 32 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 32m

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 Hemby Bridge, 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 Hemby Bridge, NC

This is one driving day of about 146.1 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Hemby Bridge, 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 Fayetteville Road for about 43.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Moore County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aberdeen, NC

73 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

Wingate, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aberdeen, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.1 miles from Hemby Bridge, 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 145.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham
5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway

Merge onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
49.3 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | US 74 BUS

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 306 Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business Ea...
6
55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | US 1 / Fayetteville Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Fayetteville Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
145.5 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | South Academy Street

Turn right onto South Academy Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.85 one way

$45.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $24.98 $49.96
premium $4.70 $27.04 $54.08
diesel $5.61 $32.26 $64.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.8 0 $15.34 $7.01
Efficient EV 36.5 0 $12.78 $5.84
EV Truck/SUV 58.4 0 $20.45 $9.35

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 15, 2026

Origin

Hemby Bridge, NC

Morning in Hemby Bridge on Tuesday

Local time

7:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Clear

SW 6 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:26PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:16PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Destination

Cary, NC

Morning in Cary on Tuesday

Local time

7:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Aberdeen, NC

73 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

15 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

3h 7m 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?

The drive presents a mixed profile, with 44% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll encounter a significant longest stretch of 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road, indicating periods of uninterrupted travel. As you progress, the road character shifts between potentially faster highway sections and more local road segments. This blend means you'll experience varying driving conditions, from cruising on expressways to navigating more community-oriented streets as you approach your destination.

44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on Fayetteville Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 146.1 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

On the drive from Hemby Bridge, NC to Cary, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheboro along the way.

Asheboro

49.3 mi in | ~1h 6m | via US 74 BUS

About the Cities

Arriving 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 7m. Total distance: 146.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road. 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Cary, 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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