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Trip from Cary, NC to Rocky Mount, NC

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

1h 17m

Distance

67.4 mi

108 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 11m ★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m

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 Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plain region North Carolina, United States

Rocky Mount, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cary, NC to Rocky Mount, NC covers 67.4 miles and takes about 1h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 64, I 87, Dan K Moore Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.3 miles on US 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.54 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

33.7 miles from Cary, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 1h 17m highway drive covering 67.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 64 and I 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 33.3 miles on US 64.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 87. 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.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 67.4 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 8 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...
4
32.5 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 64

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

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 Rocky Mount, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.

Wilson

15.3 mi in | ~19m | via I 87; US 64

Greenville

15.3 mi in | ~19m | via I 87; US 64

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 33.3 mi 36m
I 87 20 mi 21m
Dan K Moore Freeway 7.1 mi 8m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway 3.2 mi 3m
Chapel Hill Road 2 mi 3m
Atlantic Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Tarboro Street 0.2 mi <1m
Cokey Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 33.3 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cary, NC and Rocky Mount, 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, Greenville Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

33 mi · 36 min · US 64
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
10

Turn left onto NC 97

1.2 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Turn left onto US 64 BUS

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Tarboro Street
12

Turn slight right onto Cokey Road

223 ft · 5 sec · Cokey Road
13

Arrive at destination

Cokey Road

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 33.7 miles from Cary, NC, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.3 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 67.4 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 33.7 miles or 39m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rocky Mount, 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 67.4 miles and 1h 17m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 64 for about 33.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 33.7 mi from Cary, NC · 39m into the drive

city in and state capital of North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Raleigh, NC

34 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

Raleigh, NC to Rocky Mount, NC

58.6 mi · 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Greenville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Raleigh, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.7 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Rocky Mount, NC

The final approach into Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mount, 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

$10.54 one way

$21.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $11.52 $23.05
premium $4.70 $12.47 $24.95
diesel $5.61 $14.88 $29.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.2 0 $7.08 $3.24
Efficient EV 16.9 0 $5.90 $2.70
EV Truck/SUV 27 0 $9.44 $4.31

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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 data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Cary, NC

Evening in Cary on Tuesday

Local time

7:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 9 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 3:25AM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

Destination

Rocky Mount, NC

Evening in Rocky Mount on Tuesday

Local time

7:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Sunny

SW 6 to 9 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 3:25AM EDT by NWS Raleigh 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 17m 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 Rocky Mount, NC covers 67.4 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, I 87, Dan K Moore Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.7 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 $10.54 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 is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 67.4 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 Rocky Mount, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.

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