Origin
Enfield, NC
Morning in Enfield on Sunday
Local time
11:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Enfield, NC to Cary, NC
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
81.6 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Photo: Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Spanning 81.6 miles, this drive from Enfield to Cary takes approximately 1 hour and 17 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly transit. By utilizing a combination of Glenview Road and US 64, you will navigate through the Southeast region of North Carolina. Since there are no mandatory stops required, this route is ideal for travelers looking for a direct and efficient connection between these two points.
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
40.8 miles from Enfield, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on local roads, meaning your highway share is essentially zero percent. Because the longest stretch of road is on Glenview Road, you will find yourself navigating frequent turns rather than settling into a long, straight cruise. The character of this drive is best described as a series of local transitions that keep the pace engaging. You should prepare for a varied driving experience that rewards those who prefer backroads over high-speed highway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Glenview 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Enfield, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 1h 17m 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 Enfield, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glenview Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 64 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dan K Moore Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NC 54 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chapel Hill Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Academy Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Glenview Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Enfield, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on Whitfield Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Whitfield Street
2
Turn straight onto Glenview Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenview Road
3
At the end of the road, turn right
4.3 mi
·
6 min
4
Take the ramp left
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
5
Merge slight left
14 mi
·
15 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Nashville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 64: Nashville, Rocky Mount, Raleigh
7
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Nashville, Raleigh
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 64 West: Nashville, Raleigh
8
Merge slight right
45 mi
·
48 min
9
Merge slight left
2.7 mi
·
3 min
10
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
12
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
NC 54: Cary
15
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
16
Turn right onto North Academy Street
23 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Academy Street
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 17 minutes, you have significant flexibility in your departure time. Since the trip is direct and requires no stops, you can easily complete it in one go without needing to build in long rest breaks. Keep in mind that because this is a turn-heavy local route, it is best to plan your drive during daylight hours to better navigate the local intersections. A helpful tip for this specific journey is to double-check your GPS before leaving Enfield, as the reliance on Glenview Road and various local connections means paying close attention to navigation cues is essential for a smooth arrival in Cary.
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 40.8 miles from Enfield, NC, or about 38m 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 80 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.8 miles or 38m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cary, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Enfield, 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 Enfield, NC
This is one driving day of about 81.6 miles and 1h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Enfield, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.8 mi from Enfield, NC · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.8 miles from Enfield, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cary, NC
The final approach into Cary, 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 Cary, 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
$13.06 one way
$26.12 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $14.23 | $28.46 |
| premium | $4.78 | $15.35 | $30.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.13 | $36.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.57 | $3.92 |
| Efficient EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.14 | $3.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.42 | $5.22 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Cary, NC
Morning in Cary on Sunday
Local time
11:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
66°F
Raleigh, NC
41 mi in
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 17m 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 Enfield, NC to Cary, NC covers 81.6 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 Glenview Road, US 64, US 64 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.8 miles from Enfield, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.06 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 Enfield, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 1h 17m 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 Enfield, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Enfield, NC to Cary, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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