Origin
Cary, NC
Morning in Cary on Friday
Local time
8:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Albemarle, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
103.4 mi
166 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Albemarle, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 103.4-mile drive from Cary, NC to Albemarle, NC is a straightforward, one-day adventure. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 21 minutes behind the wheel, making it an easy day trip. The route is estimated to cost around $16 for fuel, keeping your budget in check. You'll primarily navigate local roads with some highway sections, offering a varied driving experience. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll be staying within a familiar geographic area for this short journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.7 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 103.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This trip is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, straight highway cruise. With a highway share of only 3, most of your time will be spent on local roads like McReynolds Street and Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.2 miles on McReynolds Street, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more turns appear. The driving experience will likely feel engaging and require your attention as you navigate through communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
McReynolds Street is the longest continuous segment at about 42.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 around 0.6 miles in near Dry Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.8 miles (NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Dry Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Dry Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
3.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford
5
52.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street
Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
100.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
NC-24; NC-27; NC-73 / Albemarle Road
Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73 / Albemarle Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
102.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
US 52 Business / South 2nd Street
Turn right onto US 52 Business / South 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| McReynolds Street | 42.2 mi | 59m |
| Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| Jefferson Davis Highway | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| White Hill Road | 10.7 mi | 14m |
| Albemarle Road | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Kildaire Farm Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| NC 24 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Monroe Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
McReynolds Street
— 42.2 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Albemarle, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Academy Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Dry Avenue
220 ft
·
5 sec
·
Dry Avenue
3
Continue on Kildaire Farm Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Kildaire Farm Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Southeast Cary Parkway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southeast Cary Parkway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford
6
Merge onto US 1; US 64
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 1
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Jefferson Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn slight right onto US 15; US 501
11 mi
·
14 min
·
White Hill Road
9
Continue on NC 24; NC 27
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Monroe Street
10
Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27
336 ft
·
6 sec
·
McReynolds Street
11
Continue on NC 22; NC 24; NC 27
42 mi
·
59 min
·
McReynolds Street
12
Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Albemarle Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
114 ft
·
1 sec
·
Albemarle Road
14
Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Albemarle Road
15
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27; NC 73
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
NC 24; NC 27; NC 73
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
17
Turn right onto US 52 Business
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
South 2nd Street
18
Continue on US 52 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
19
Turn left onto West Main Street
138 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 21-minute duration of this 103.4-mile trip, it's perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow plenty of time for any unexpected delays or spontaneous stops. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $16, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. Pay close attention to the numerous turns characteristic of this route, especially on McReynolds Street, which features the longest stretch at 42.2 miles; keeping your navigation active will be key.
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 51.7 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.7 miles or 1h 5m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albemarle, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 103.4 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on McReynolds Street for about 42.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.7 mi from Cary, NC · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.7 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Albemarle, NC
The final approach into Albemarle, 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 Albemarle, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.17 one way
$32.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.68 | $35.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.14 | $38.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.83 | $45.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31 | 0 | $10.86 | $4.96 |
| Efficient EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.05 | $4.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.48 | $6.62 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Albemarle, NC
Morning in Albemarle on Friday
Local time
8:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
3 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
2h 21m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cary, NC to Albemarle, NC covers 103.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are McReynolds Street, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, Jefferson Davis Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.7 miles from Cary, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.8 miles (NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Cary, NC to Albemarle, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Albemarle, NC
More trips to Albemarle, NC
Explore more options from Cary, NC or browse trips ending in Albemarle, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.