Origin
Cary, NC
Afternoon in Cary on Thursday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Richlands, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
253.1 mi
407 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m
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
The drive from Cary, NC to Richlands, NC covers 253.1 miles and takes about 5h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Chapel Hill Road, North Harrison Avenue, Dan K for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.5 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 253.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 21m drive with frequent turns across 253.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chapel Hill Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 21m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cary, NC to Richlands, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill Road | — | — |
| North Harrison Avenue | — | — |
| Dan K | — | — |
| I 40 West | — | — |
| NC 226 | — | — |
| Peppers Creek Road | — | — |
| Altapass Highway | — | — |
| Highway 226 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Chapel Hill Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Richlands, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
23 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Academy Street
2
Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
3
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
4
Take the ramp left
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
60 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Dan K. Moore Frwy
6
Keep slight right
7.7 mi
·
9 min
7
Keep slight right
13 mi
·
15 min
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
120 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 226: Marion, Shelby
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
NC 226: Marion, Shelby
10
Turn right
15 mi
·
22 min
11
Continue straight
1.2 mi
·
1 min
12
Turn left onto Peppers Creek Road
4.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Peppers Creek Road
13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Peppers Creek Road
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Peppers Creek Road
14
Turn right onto Altapass Highway
4.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Altapass Highway
15
Turn left
1.3 mi
·
2 min
16
Turn right onto South NC Highway 226
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
South NC Highway 226
17
Turn left onto Mine Creek Road
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Mine Creek Road
18
At the end of the road, turn left
3.1 mi
·
4 min
19
Turn slight left
1.9 mi
·
3 min
20
Turn slight left
4.1 mi
·
7 min
21
Turn right onto Pigeon Roost Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Pigeon Roost Road
22
Turn left onto Byrd Creek Road
1.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Byrd Creek Road
23
Arrive at your destination
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 126.5 miles from Cary, NC, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
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 56 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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 253.1 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.5 mi from Cary, NC · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.5 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Richlands, NC
The final approach into Richlands, 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 Richlands, 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
$39.58 one way
$79.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $43.28 | $86.55 |
| premium | $4.70 | $46.84 | $93.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.88 | $111.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.58 | $12.15 |
| Efficient EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.15 | $10.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.43 | $16.20 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Richlands, NC
Afternoon in Richlands on Thursday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
7 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
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Richlands, NC covers 253.1 miles and takes about 5h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chapel Hill Road, North Harrison Avenue, Dan K. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.5 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 $39.58 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 21m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cary, NC to Richlands, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cary, NC to Richlands, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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