Origin
Cary, NC
Evening in Cary on Thursday
Local time
5:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
89.2 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cary, NC
C k
Saint Pauls, NC
Jo Kassis
Trip Overview
The drive from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 44m 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, Dan K Moore Freeway, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.95 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.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Cary, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m 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 1h 44m drive with frequent turns across 89.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC is easy. At 1h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill Road | — | — |
| Dan K Moore Freeway | — | — |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | — | — |
| SR 42 | — | — |
| I 40 East | — | — |
| I-95 South | — | — |
| US 301 | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
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 Saint Pauls, NC.
1
Start on North Academy Street
23 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Academy Street
2
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
3
Take the ramp slight right
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
4
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
5
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
7
Keep slight left
2.1 mi
·
2 min
8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10
Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
11
Merge slight left
25 mi
·
29 min
12
Keep slight left
22 mi
·
24 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 301: Saint Pauls
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 301: Saint Pauls
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
246 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
15
Exit the roundabout
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
17
Exit the roundabout
1.7 mi
·
3 min
18
Turn left onto West Armfield Street
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Armfield Street
19
Turn right onto North 1st Street
387 ft
·
19 sec
·
North 1st Street
20
Turn left onto East Broad Street
125 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Broad Street
21
Arrive at your destination
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 44.6 miles from Cary, NC, or about 52m 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 52m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Pauls, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cary, NC
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Cary, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Cary, NC · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.6 miles from Cary, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint Pauls, NC
The final approach into Saint Pauls, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.95 one way
$27.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.25 | $30.50 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.51 | $33.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.69 | $39.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Saint Pauls, NC
Evening in Saint Pauls on Thursday
Local time
5:00 PM
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
1 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
1h 44m 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 Saint Pauls, NC covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chapel Hill Road, Dan K Moore Freeway, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.6 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 $13.95 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.
The drive from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC is easy. At 1h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cary, NC to Saint Pauls, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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