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Trip from Cary, NC to Laurinburg, NC

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

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

90.6 mi

146 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m

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

city in and county seat of Scotland County, North Carolina, United States

Laurinburg, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cary, NC to Laurinburg, NC covers 90.6 miles and takes about 1h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Jefferson Davis Highway, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, US 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23 miles on Jefferson Davis Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.17 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.

Midpoint

45.3 miles from Cary, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jefferson Davis Highway 23 mi 27m
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway 20.3 mi 22m
US 1 18 mi 23m
US 15 14.7 mi 20m
Poindexter Street 5.6 mi 7m
Aberdeen Road 3 mi 4m
Kildaire Farm Road 1.8 mi 4m
Southeast Cary Parkway 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Jefferson Davis Highway — 23 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Laurinburg, 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

23 mi · 27 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 46 sec
9

Merge onto US 1

18 mi · 23 min · US 1
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto US 15; US 501; NC 211

5.6 mi · 7 min · Poindexter Street
Use the straight lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto US 15;US 501

115 ft · 1 sec · US 15;US 501
12

Continue on US 15;US 501

199 ft · 3 sec · US 15;US 501
13

Turn straight onto US 15; US 501

14 mi · 19 min · US 15; US 501
14

Enter roundabout

120 ft · 2 sec
15

Continue

105 ft · 1 sec
16

Turn straight onto US 15; US 501

3.0 mi · 4 min · Aberdeen Road
17

Take the ramp onto US 15; US 501

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 15; US 501
18

Merge onto US 15; US 401; US 501

0.8 mi · 57 sec · McColl Road
19

Turn left onto North King Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North King Street
20

Turn left onto US 74 Business

0.3 mi · 35 sec · West Church Street
21

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 401 Business; US 501 Business

39 ft · 0 sec · South Main Street
22

Arrive at destination

US 15 Business; US 401 Business; US 501 Business

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.3 miles from Cary, NC, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 20 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.3 miles or 56m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurinburg, 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 90.6 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jefferson Davis Highway for about 23 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sanford, NC

45 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

Apex, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sanford, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.3 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Crossroads Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vass, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 51.8

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19102454504

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.5

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

Crossroads Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 51.8

Vass, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19102454504

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 90.6

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 90.6

Laurinburg, NC

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 90.6

Laurinburg, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 90.6

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 64.7

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 90.6

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32.4

Sanford, North Carolina

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 32.4

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 6.5

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

The Pint Sized Pasture

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 38.8

Sanford, North Carolina

+19194984466

Visit website

Kiwanis Family Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 38.8

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+19197758247

Visit website

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 90.6

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19102772456

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

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

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 71.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
47.5 mi into trip | ~58m in | US 1

Merge onto US 1

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
65.5 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | US 15; US 501; NC 211 / Poindexter Street

Turn left onto US 15; US 501; NC 211 / Poindexter Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
4
71.1 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 15;US 501

Enter roundabout onto US 15;US 501

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.17 one way

$28.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.49 $30.98
premium $4.70 $16.77 $33.54
diesel $5.61 $20.00 $40.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.2 0 $9.51 $4.35
Efficient EV 22.7 0 $7.93 $3.62
EV Truck/SUV 36.2 0 $12.68 $5.80

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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

Afternoon in Cary on Saturday

Local time

3:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laurinburg, NC

Afternoon in Laurinburg on Saturday

Local time

3:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Sanford, NC

45 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

7 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 58m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive from Cary, NC to Laurinburg, NC covers 90.6 miles and takes about 1h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jefferson Davis Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 23 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Dry Avenue.

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 90.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles (US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 90.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cary, NC to Laurinburg, NC covers 90.6 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Jefferson Davis Highway, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, US 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 45.3 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 $14.17 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles (US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Cary, NC to Laurinburg, 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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Return Trip

Laurinburg, NC to Cary, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

90.4 mi 1h 58m

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