Origin
Cary, NC
Night in Cary on Thursday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to High Point, NC
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
85.6 mi
138 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
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
This 85.6-mile drive from Cary, NC to High Point, NC is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Given its short duration and manageable distance, it’s ideal as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $13, making it an economical option. You'll primarily be navigating via the Dan K. Moore Freeway, US 29, and I-40, offering a blend of highway and local road driving within the Southeast region. This route is recommended for one day, fitting perfectly into a weekend itinerary or a quick weekday excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 85.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 85.6-mile journey. While 24% of the route utilizes highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads and freeways that require more frequent navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.8 miles on the Dan K. Moore Freeway, offering a period of more consistent driving before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This profile suggests a drive that keeps you engaged with changing scenery and road types, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dan K. Moore Frwy is the longest continuous segment at about 59.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chapel Hill Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 63.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese 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
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
71.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
7
76.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 South
7
83.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 59.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 29 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| I 40 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Main Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Academy Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dan K. Moore Frwy
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
24 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Academy Street
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
3
Turn right onto SR 1652
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
60 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Use the left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1 hour and 42-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider departing early in the morning to avoid any potential local traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. The estimated fuel cost is approximately $13, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Cary. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant road change is nearly 60 miles. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you can easily plan for a full day of activities in High Point without needing an overnight stay.
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 42.8 miles from Cary, NC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cary, NC
This is one driving day of about 85.6 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dan K. Moore Frwy for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.8 mi from Cary, NC · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in High Point, NC
The final approach into High Point, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.39 one way
$26.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.64 | $29.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.84 | $31.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.90 | $37.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.49 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
High Point, NC
Night in High Point on Thursday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
21 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
1h 42m 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 High Point, NC covers 85.6 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dan K. Moore Frwy, US 29, I 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.8 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 $13.39 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 63.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Cary, NC to High Point, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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