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Create accountDrive Time
1h 7m
Distance
54.5 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Alamance, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Traveling from Cary to Alamance covers 54.5 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 7 minutes. This short distance makes it a perfect day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Dan K. Moore Freeway, North Harrison Avenue, and Alamance Road. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is quite economical for a quick getaway within the Southeast region. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward route offers a reliable connection between these two North Carolina locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27.2 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you transition between different road types. The route is entirely highway-based, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time at steady speeds. You will encounter a significant, uninterrupted 48.1-mile stretch along the Dan K. Moore Freeway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you move off the freeway and onto smaller roads like North Harrison Avenue and Alamance Road, the feel of the drive shifts from high-speed transit to more technical, localized maneuvering. It is a practical drive that balances long-distance cruising with the tighter turns found in local transit.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
501 ft
Total Descent
322 ft
Highest Point
675 ft
~36.3 mi in
Elevation Range
398 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chapel Hill Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 7m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 1652 / North Harrison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 40 / Dan K. Moore Frwy.): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto SR 1652 / North Harrison Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 40 / Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NC 62: Alamance
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto NC 62 / Alamance Road
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 48.1 mi | 55m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Alamance Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| S NC Highway 62 E | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Cardinal Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Academy Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Alamance, NC.
Start on North Academy Street
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
Turn right onto SR 1652
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto NC 62
Continue on NC 62
Turn left onto Cardinal Lane
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is just over an hour, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You will not need to worry about scheduling formal rest stops, as the duration is manageable without a break. However, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the final segments can be more demanding than open highway driving, so stay alert as you approach Alamance. Budget your $9 for fuel before you leave Cary to ensure you have a stress-free trip. Since this route lacks scheduled stops, consider keeping a beverage or light snack in the car to maintain your energy for the duration of the 54.5-mile journey.
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.
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 54.5 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.2 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alamance, NC than in the middle of the route.
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 54.5 miles and 1h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.2 mi from Cary, NC · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 54.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.2 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Alamance, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Alamance, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.72 one way
$17.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $9.50 | $19.01 |
| premium | $4.78 | $10.25 | $20.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.11 | $24.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.72 | $2.62 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.77 | $2.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.63 | $3.49 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Cary on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Evening in Alamance on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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