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Trip from Cary, NC to Harrisburg, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

118.8 mi

191 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 42m

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 Cary, NC, NC

Cary, NC

C k

town in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, United States

Harrisburg, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cary, NC to Harrisburg, NC covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on NC 49, US 64, East Dixie Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.4 miles on NC 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.58 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

59.4 miles from Cary, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 118.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 49m highway drive covering 118.8 miles, with most of the trip on NC 49 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.4 miles on NC 49.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NC 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 49 and US 64. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chapel Hill Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.8 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Harrison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Chapel Hill Road

Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

Navigation decision point

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Harrison Avenue

Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
58.5 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Ashebo...
6
63.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | Albemarle Road

Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
118.6 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | Patricia Avenue

Turn right onto Patricia Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NC 49 54.4 mi 1h 14m
US 64 52.8 mi 1h 13m
East Dixie Drive 3.5 mi 6m
Old Apex Road 3.3 mi 5m
Richard K. Pugh Highway 1.8 mi 2m
North Salem Street 1.3 mi 2m
West Chatham Street 0.4 mi <1m
North Harrison Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: NC 49 — 54.4 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Academy Street

24 ft · 5 sec · North Academy Street
2

Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Chapel Hill Road
3

Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue

0.3 mi · 43 sec · North Harrison Avenue
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto West Chatham Street

0.4 mi · 50 sec · West Chatham Street
5

Enter roundabout onto Old Apex Road

65 ft · 1 sec · Old Apex Road
6

Continue on Old Apex Road

3.3 mi · 5 min · Old Apex Road
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on North Salem Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Salem Street
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Pittsboro
9

Merge onto US 64

53 mi · 1 hr 13 min · US 64
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 BUS; NC 49

1.8 mi · 2 min · Richard K. Pugh Highway
Toward US 64 Business West, NC 49 South: Asheboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49

3.5 mi · 6 min · East Dixie Drive
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn slight right

312 ft · 11 sec
13

Turn slight right onto Brookway Road

314 ft · 12 sec · Brookway Road
14

Turn sharp left onto Albemarle Road

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Albemarle Road
15

Continue on NC 49

9.9 mi · 13 min · NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Continue on NC 49

45 mi · 1 hr · NC 49
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto Patricia Avenue

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Patricia Avenue
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left onto Plaza Drive

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Plaza Drive
19

Arrive at destination

Plaza Drive

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 26 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisburg, 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 118.8 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Cary, 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 NC 49 for about 54.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.4 mi from Cary, NC · 1h 25m into the drive

city in North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Asheboro, NC

59 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

Sanford, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Archdale, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Harrisburg, NC

The final approach into Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, NC.

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 Coffee Stop

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Concord, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17049604013

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

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

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Concord

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17049604013

Visit website

Coffee & Cream

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 118.8

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19807778222

Visit website

Canal Coffee Company

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 118.8

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+19804395013

Visit website

Press & Porter Coffee & Pourhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mattie Ruth's Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 59.4

Asheboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 59.4

Asheboro, North Carolina

+18333994638

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 25.5

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 42.4

Siler City, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 25.5

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 25.5

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 25.5

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 42.4

Siler City, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

The Speedpark at Concord Mills

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 118.8

Concord, North Carolina

+17045278464

Visit website

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 118.8

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+17044561955

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.58 one way

$37.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $20.31 $40.63
premium $4.70 $21.99 $43.97
diesel $5.61 $26.23 $52.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.6 0 $12.47 $5.70
Efficient EV 29.7 0 $10.40 $4.75
EV Truck/SUV 47.5 0 $16.63 $7.60

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Cary, NC

Evening in Cary on Friday

Local time

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Harrisburg, NC

Evening in Harrisburg on Friday

Local time

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

1 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 49m 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 Harrisburg, NC covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are NC 49, US 64, East Dixie Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59.4 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 $18.58 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Harrison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (US 64 BUS; NC 49 / Richard K. Pugh Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Cary, NC to Harrisburg, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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