Origin
Cary, NC
Evening in Cary on Thursday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Kings Grant, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
132.9 mi
214 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Kings Grant, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
This 132.9-mile drive from Cary, NC, to Kings Grant, NC, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 96% of the route being on interstates and freeways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, making it an economical choice. Given its relatively short duration and focus on efficient travel, it's perfectly suited as a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stop. This journey stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
66.4 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 132.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 132.9-mile journey. With 96% of the route on main roads like I-40, the Thomas Bradshaw Freeway, and the Dan K. Moore Freeway, you'll experience consistent speeds and straightforward navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 109.4 miles on I-40, allowing for extended periods of cruising. This profile suggests a route prioritizing direct travel over frequent scenery changes, making it efficient for reaching your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 132.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 left onto Chapel Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway
Merge onto I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
20.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
6
132.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
Kings Grant Road
At end of road, turn right onto Kings Grant Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cary, NC to Kings Grant, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
24.5 mi in
|
~29m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 109.4 mi | 1h 57m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Dan K Moore Freeway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North College Road | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Shelly Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Kings Grant Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Kings Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 109.4 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Kings Grant, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
24 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Academy Street
2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10
Continue on US 117; NC 132
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
North College Road
11
Turn left onto Kings Drive
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Kings Drive
12
At end of road, turn right onto Kings Grant Road
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Kings Grant Road
13
Turn left onto Shelly Drive
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Shelly Drive
14
Arrive at destination
Shelly Drive
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 27 minute drive, you can easily complete it in one day. Leaving Cary, NC, in the morning will allow you to reach Kings Grant, NC, with plenty of daylight. Since the route is primarily highway-focused, plan your fuel stops strategically, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 109.4 miles on I-40. There are no specific designated stops mentioned, so flexibility is key – take breaks as needed at service areas along the interstate. The estimated fuel cost is $21, so budget accordingly.
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 66.4 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.4 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kings Grant, 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 132.9 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 109.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.4 mi from Cary, NC · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.4 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.4 miles.
Arriving in Kings Grant, NC
The final approach into Kings Grant, 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 Kings Grant, NC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.78 one way
$41.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.72 | $45.45 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.60 | $49.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.34 | $58.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.95 | $6.38 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.63 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Kings Grant, NC
Evening in Kings Grant on Thursday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Mount Olive, NC
66 mi in
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
2 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
2h 27m 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 Kings Grant, NC covers 132.9 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway, Dan K Moore Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.4 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 $20.78 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 demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 132.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chapel Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 40 / Dan K Moore Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cary, NC to Kings Grant, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kings Grant, NC
Explore more options from Cary, NC or browse trips ending in Kings Grant, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Cary, NC or Kings Grant, NC on MapSof.net.