This 182-mile drive from Cary, NC, to Moyock, NC, takes approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey primarily using US 158, US 64, and I-87, with 72% of the route on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this trip is well-suited for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a familiar landscape throughout. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the driving time.
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
91 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 182 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 182-mile trip, with 72% of it spent on faster roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.4 miles on US 158, offering a good chance to settle into a rhythm. The route utilizes major roads like US 158, US 64, and I-87, suggesting a mix of efficient travel and potentially some more local road sections as you navigate between them. The overall feel is one of practical, direct transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 158 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 158 and US 64. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 182 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 12.5 miles (I 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 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 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
12.5 mi into trip|~15m in|I 87; I 440; US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64 toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rock...
8
15.3 mi into trip|~19m in|I 87; US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64 toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...
5
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 95 North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cary, NC and Moyock, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville, Battleboro and Rocky Mount.
Wilson
15.3 mi in|~19m|via I 87; US 64
Greenville
15.3 mi in|~19m|via I 87; US 64
Battleboro
66.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Rocky Mount
66.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 158
30.4 mi
34m
US 64
27.1 mi
29m
I 87
20 mi
21m
US 13
11.4 mi
12m
Thirteen Bridges Road
10.9 mi
15m
US 258
8.7 mi
12m
Watson Seed Farm Road
7.5 mi
10m
Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 158
— 30.4 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Moyock, 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 left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.8 mi·3 min·I 87; I 440; US 64
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64
17 mi·18 min·I 87; US 64
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, GreenvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
27 mi·29 min·US 64
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 95 North
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95 North
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 95
5.7 mi·6 min·I 95
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NC 4, NC 48: Gold Rock, Battleboro, Rocky Mount
15
Enter roundabout
22 ft·0 sec
16
Continue
0.1 mi·14 sec
17
Turn left onto NC 4; NC 48
1.0 mi·1 min·NC 4; NC 48
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Watson Seed Farm Road
7.5 mi·10 min·Watson Seed Farm Road
19
Continue on Moore Farm Road
0.6 mi·56 sec·Moore Farm Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
3.6 mi·5 min·US 301
21
Turn right onto Whitaker Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·Whitaker Street
22
Continue on Thirteen Bridges Road
11 mi·15 min·Thirteen Bridges Road
23
Continue on Moonlight Road
4.5 mi·6 min·Moonlight Road
24
Turn right onto NC 561
2.2 mi·2 min·NC 561
25
Turn slight left
301 ft·9 sec
26
Turn left onto US 258; NC 561
8.7 mi·12 min·US 258; NC 561
27
Turn slight right onto NC 561
0.1 mi·23 sec·Short Street
28
Turn slight right onto NC 305; NC 561
6.2 mi·9 min·East Jackson Street
29
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 305; NC 561
5.5 mi·7 min·NC 305; NC 561
30
Turn right onto NC 561
4.0 mi·6 min·NC 561
31
Turn left onto NC 11
3.1 mi·4 min·Short Cut Road
32
Continue on US 13
11 mi·12 min·US 13
33
Turn right onto US 158
30 mi·34 min·US 158
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 158
113 ft·10 sec·US 158
35
Turn sharp left onto US 17
1.5 mi·1 min·North Road Street
36
Take the exit onto US 17 BUS
1.1 mi·2 min·US 17 BUS
37
Keep slight right at fork onto Main Street
0.2 mi·17 sec·Main Street
38
Turn straight onto NC 343
0.6 mi·1 min·NC Highway 343 South
39
Turn left onto Bunker Hill Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Bunker Hill Road
40
At end of road, turn left onto Old Swamp Road
4.7 mi·11 min·Old Swamp Road
41
Continue on South Mills Road
4.9 mi·7 min·South Mills Road
42
At end of road, turn right onto NC 168
0.3 mi·26 sec·Caratoke Highway
43
Arrive at destination
NC 168
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour 57-minute duration, this 182-mile journey is easily manageable as a day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Moyock with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $28, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 30.4-mile stretch on US 158, to ensure a smooth trip without unnecessary detours.
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 91 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moyock, 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 182 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 158 for about 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.46 one way
$56.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.12
$62.24
premium
$4.70
$33.68
$67.37
diesel
$5.61
$40.18
$80.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.6
0
$19.11
$8.74
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.92
$7.28
EV Truck/SUV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cary, NC
Morning
in Cary on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NW 3 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Moyock, NC
Morning
in Moyock on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
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
39 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 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Moyock, NC covers 182 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 158, US 64, I 87. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91 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 $28.46 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 29 significant decision points across 182 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 12.5 miles (I 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cary, NC and Moyock, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville, Battleboro and Rocky Mount.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
