McDowell County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Laurel Park, NC to Cary, NC
Pin this tripCompiled 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
253 mi
407 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
Laurel Park to Cary is 253 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 40 and NC 9, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traveling from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route offers a predominantly highway experience for most of the drive. Given its duration, this is a manageable one-day trip, perfect for a straightforward transit between these two points.
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
126.5 miles from Laurel Park, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 213.8 mi | 4h 4m |
| Chimney Rock Road | 12.5 mi | 20m |
| NC 9 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Bat Cave Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Old Fort Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| 6th Avenue West | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 213.8 mi, about 4h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurel Park, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on Walnut Loop Road
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Walnut Loop Road
2
Turn right onto Davis Mountain Road
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Davis Mountain Road
3
Continue on Crystal Spring Drive
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
Crystal Spring Drive
4
At end of road, turn right onto White Pine Drive
254 ft
·
12 sec
·
White Pine Drive
5
Turn left onto Glasgow Lane
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Glasgow Lane
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Brevard Road
7
Continue on US 64
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
6th Avenue West
8
Continue on US 64
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
9
Continue on US 64
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Four Seasons Boulevard
10
Continue on US 64
12 mi
·
20 min
·
Chimney Rock Road
11
Continue on US 74A; NC 9
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Gerton Highway
12
Turn right onto NC 9
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
NC 9
13
Turn right onto Old Fort Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Fort Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto Old Fort Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Fort Road
15
Continue on Bat Cave Road
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Bat Cave Road
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
17
Merge onto I 40
139 mi
·
2 hr 36 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Cary
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto SR 1652
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto North Academy Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Academy Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Academy Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to have ample daylight for the entire trip. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 40 is 213.8 miles, and planning your fuel stops around this section is advisable. The estimated fuel cost is around $39. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient, but an early start will allow for a relaxed pace.
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 126.5 miles from Laurel Park, NC, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.8 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 56 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 15m
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 Laurel Park, 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 Laurel Park, NC
This is one driving day of about 253 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Laurel Park, 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 213.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.5 miles from Laurel Park, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 213.8 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.
Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 249.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
White Pine Drive
At end of road, turn right onto White Pine Drive
Navigation decision point
8
174.5 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
184 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m 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
220.7 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
249.5 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
$37.35 one way
$74.70 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $41.05 | $82.10 |
| premium | $4.49 | $44.74 | $89.49 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.77 | $95.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.57 | $12.14 |
| Efficient EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.14 | $10.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.42 | $16.19 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Origin
Laurel Park, NC
Morning in Laurel Park on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 1 to 5 mph
70% 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
Morning in Cary on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
99°F
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 12 mph
22% 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
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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 87% of the 253 miles on high-speed roads like I 40. You'll encounter a long stretch of 213.8 miles on I 40, so expect continuous cruising at highway speeds for a significant portion of your travel. Surface roads, like Chimney Rock Road and NC 9, will appear later in the trip, signaling a shift in driving conditions as you approach your destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Chimney Rock Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near White Pine Drive.
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 17 significant decision points across 253 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 0.5 miles (White Pine Drive): Navigation decision point; at 174.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,355 ft
282 ft
Total Climb
612 ft
Total Descent
2,470 ft
Highest Point
2,355 ft
Elevation Range
2,074 ft
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.
On the drive from Laurel Park, NC to Cary, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.
Martinsville
174.5 mi in
|
~3h 35m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting in Laurel Park, NC
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Singletary-Reese-Robinson House — historic house in North Carolina, United States
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: 253 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 (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (White Pine Drive): Navigation decision point; at 174.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184 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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