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Trip from Roanoke Rapids, NC to Cary, NC

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

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

98.1 mi

158 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

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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city in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States

Roanoke Rapids, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cary, NC, NC

Cary, NC

C k

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Roanoke Rapids to Cary, you can expect a straightforward 98.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You will rely primarily on I-95, US 64, and the Dan K Moore Freeway to navigate between these two Southeast locations. Budgeting roughly $16 for fuel should cover your needs for the drive. Since this is an efficient, highway-focused trip, it serves as a practical connection between these two North Carolina points without requiring complex planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

49 miles from Roanoke Rapids, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 44.6 mi 48m
I 95 33.7 mi 36m
Dan K Moore Freeway 5.8 mi 6m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway 4.3 mi 4m
I 87 2.7 mi 3m
Chapel Hill Road 2.2 mi 3m
East 10th Street 1.8 mi 3m
Julian R Allsbrook Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 44.6 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NC 48

0.4 mi · 1 min · Roanoke Avenue
2

Turn left onto NC 125

1.8 mi · 3 min · East 10th Street
3

Turn left onto Julian R Allsbrook Highway

0.9 mi · 1 min · Julian R Allsbrook Highway
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
5

Merge onto I 95

34 mi · 36 min · I 95
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 138 Toward US 64: Nashville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh
7

Keep slight right at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward US 64 West: Nashville, Raleigh
8

Merge onto US 64

45 mi · 48 min · US 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 87; I 440; US 64
10

Merge onto I 40; US 64

3.2 mi · 3 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 40; US 64

2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
12

Continue on I 40; US 64

1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13

Continue on I 40; US 64

3.1 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward NC 54: Cary Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn left onto NC 54

2.2 mi · 3 min · Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto North Academy Street

24 ft · 0 sec · North Academy Street
Use the right lane.
17

Arrive at destination

North Academy Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You don't need to worry about scheduled stops, as you can easily complete the entire 98.1 miles in one go. Keep in mind that since the route is heavily highway-dependent, staying alert during the long 44.6-mile stretch on US 64 is essential for a safe arrival. Ensure your gas tank is prepared for the $16 estimated fuel cost before you merge onto I-95. Because the trip is short and straightforward, use that extra time to plan your arrival in Cary rather than mapping out midway rest 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 49 miles from Roanoke Rapids, NC, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.6 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 22 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49 miles or 56m 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 30m

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 Roanoke Rapids, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Roanoke Rapids, NC

This is one driving day of about 98.1 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Roanoke Rapids, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 64 for about 44.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Zebulon, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Zebulon, NC

49 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.

Popular next leg

Zebulon, NC to Cary, NC

33 mi · 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Enfield, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nashville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49 miles from Roanoke Rapids, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.1

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.1

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98.1

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12524435094

Visit website

Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe'

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 56

Bunn, North Carolina

+19194963076

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 7

Halifax, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 7

Halifax, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 14

Enfield, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

+12525379927

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 42

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 35

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 91.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 98.1

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

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 98.1

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 91.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 84.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Turnipseed Nature Preserve - Hunt Valley Trail Entrance

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 77.1

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 37 and 95.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
37 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward US 64: Nashville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 138 Toward US 64: Nashville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh
6
37.3 mi into trip | ~43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Nashville, Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 64 West: Nashville, Raleigh
5
38.2 mi into trip | ~45m in | US 64

Merge onto US 64

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
85.5 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

Merge onto I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward NC 54: Cary

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward NC 54: Cary

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.34 one way

$30.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $16.77 $33.55
premium $4.70 $18.16 $36.31
diesel $5.61 $21.66 $43.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.4 0 $10.30 $4.71
Efficient EV 24.5 0 $8.58 $3.92
EV Truck/SUV 39.2 0 $13.73 $6.28

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 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

Roanoke Rapids, NC

Late night in Roanoke Rapids on Sunday

Local time

4:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cary, NC

Late night in Cary on Sunday

Local time

4:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

20 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

1h 52m 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?

Expect a highly efficient experience behind the wheel, as 93% of this route consists of highway travel. The road transitions between major thoroughfares, including a significant 44.6-mile uninterrupted stretch along US 64 that allows you to maintain a steady pace. You will find that the personality of this drive is decidedly functional rather than leisurely, prioritizing speed and connectivity. While you won't encounter technical local roads, the shift from the interstate environment to the freeway systems keeps the drive feeling consistent. It is a no-nonsense commute designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.6 mi on US 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 37 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles (US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Roanoke Rapids, NC and Cary, NC, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Raleigh.

Rocky Mount

37 mi in | ~42m

Raleigh

37 mi in | ~42m

About the Cities

Starting in Roanoke Rapids, NC

Full guide →

Roanoke Rapids is in North Carolina.

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 1h 52m. Total distance: 98.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.6 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 37 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles (US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cary, NC before heading back.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Cary, NC to Roanoke Rapids, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

98.2 mi 1h 53m

Continue From Cary, NC

Waynesville, NC 269.9 mi · 5h 18m Brevard, NC 267.4 mi · 5h 23m West Canton, NC 261.4 mi · 5h 8m Lake Lure, NC 236 mi · 4h 48m

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