Origin
Cary, NC
Afternoon in Cary on Tuesday
Local time
1:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Monroe, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h
Distance
137.8 mi
222 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Monroe, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cary, NC to Monroe, NC covers 137.8 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 1, Jefferson Davis Highway, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.4 miles on US 1. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.55 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
68.9 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Cary, NC to Monroe, NC covers 137.8 miles and takes about 3h, 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 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 1 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Dry Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 137.8 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: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.5 miles (US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles (US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
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.
6
91.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
128.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 toward US 74 West: Wingate, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 273
Toward US 74 West: Wingate, Monroe
5
137.6 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
NC 207 / North Hayne Street
Turn right onto NC 207 / North Hayne Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 43.4 mi | 52m |
| Jefferson Davis Highway | 23 mi | 27m |
| Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| Broad Avenue | 15.5 mi | 20m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| US 74 | 6.7 mi | 10m |
| Carroll M. Edwards Highway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| East Marshville Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 1
— 43.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Monroe, 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
43 mi
·
52 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto East Green Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Green Street
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 74 BUS
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Broad Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
14
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
16
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
17
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 74
Exit 273
Toward US 74 West: Wingate, Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Franklin Street
21
Continue on East Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto NC 207
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Hayne Street
23
Arrive at destination
NC 207
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, 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 137.8 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 US 1 for about 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.9 mi from Cary, NC · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Monroe, NC
The final approach into Monroe, 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 Monroe, 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
$21.55 one way
$43.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.56 | $47.12 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.50 | $51.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.42 | $60.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.47 | $6.61 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.06 | $5.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Monroe, NC
Afternoon in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
1:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
3h 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 Monroe, NC covers 137.8 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 1, Jefferson Davis Highway, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.9 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 $21.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 137.8 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: at 0.6 miles (Dry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.5 miles (US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles (US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cary, NC to Monroe, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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