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Trip from Cary, NC to Southport, NC

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

168.2 mi

271 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m

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

Downtown Southport, NC, NC

Southport, NC

Michael Ken

Trip Overview

The drive from Cary, NC to Southport, NC covers 168.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway, NC 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.92 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

84.1 miles from Cary, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 168.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 105.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

497 ft 17 ft

Total Climb

75 ft

Total Descent

556 ft

Highest Point

497 ft

Elevation Range

480 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.6 miles in near I 40.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 168.2 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 20.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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
128 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtl...
8
147.5 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
6
166.9 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | NC 211 / North Howe Street

Turn left onto NC 211 / North Howe Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Cary, NC and Southport, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.

Wilmington

24.5 mi in | ~29m | via I 40

Myrtle Beach

128 mi in | ~2h 20m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 105.4 mi 1h 52m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway 18.7 mi 20m
NC 87 11.8 mi 16m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway 11.3 mi 12m
Dan K Moore Freeway 7.1 mi 8m
Ocean Highway East 3.9 mi 5m
River Road Southeast 3.4 mi 5m
Chapel Hill Road 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 105.4 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
12

Merge onto I 140

19 mi · 20 min · John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto US 17

3.9 mi · 5 min · Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto NC 87

12 mi · 16 min · NC 87
16

Continue on NC 87; NC 133

3.4 mi · 5 min · River Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn left onto NC 211

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Howe Street
Use the left lane.
18

Arrive at destination

NC 211

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 84.1 miles from Cary, NC, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.1 miles or 1h 33m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 168.2 miles and 3h 12m.

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 I 40 for about 105.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.1 mi from Cary, NC · 1h 33m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wilmington, NC

84 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.

Popular next leg

Wilmington, NC to Southport, NC

28.3 mi · 42m

Pacing Suggestions

Goldsboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Goldsboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.4 miles.

Arriving in Southport, NC

The final approach into Southport, 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 Southport, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Moores Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...

13 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 139.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.92 one way

$53.84 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $29.33 $58.66
premium $4.78 $31.64 $63.28
diesel $5.64 $37.37 $74.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.5 0 $17.66 $8.07
Efficient EV 42.1 0 $14.72 $6.73
EV Truck/SUV 67.3 0 $23.55 $10.76

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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 data refreshed 35 minutes ago

Origin

Cary, NC

Afternoon in Cary on Sunday

Local time

4:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Sunny

S 8 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Southport, NC

Afternoon in Southport on Sunday

Local time

4:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Sunny

SE 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

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

9 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 12m 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 Southport, NC covers 168.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway, NC 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 84.1 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 $26.92 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 13 significant decision points across 168.2 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 20.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cary, NC and Southport, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.

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