Origin
Fairmont, NC
Afternoon in Fairmont on Thursday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
116.8 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmont, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC covers 116.8 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Byrd Street, North Walnut Street, Apple Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.26 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
58.4 miles from Fairmont, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 116.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m 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 53m drive with frequent turns across 116.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Byrd Street 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 Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 1h 53m 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 Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Byrd Street | — | — |
| North Walnut Street | — | — |
| Apple Street | — | — |
| West 5th Street | — | — |
| North Water Street | — | — |
| Carthage Road | — | — |
| Capuano Street | — | — |
| I 40 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Byrd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on Main Street
354 ft
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn slight right onto Byrd Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Byrd Street
3
Continue on North Walnut Street
10 mi
·
16 min
·
North Walnut Street
4
Continue on Apple Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Apple Street
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West 5th Street
6
Turn left onto North Water Street
394 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Water Street
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Water Street
220 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Water Street
8
Exit the roundabout onto North Water Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Water Street
9
Turn straight onto Carthage Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Carthage Road
10
Turn right onto Capuano Street
151 ft
·
7 sec
·
Capuano Street
11
Take the ramp straight
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
12
Merge slight left
62 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Raleigh
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 40 West: Raleigh
15
Merge slight left
14 mi
·
15 min
16
Keep slight left
22 mi
·
25 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Cary
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
NC 54: Cary
18
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
19
Turn right onto North Academy Street
23 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Academy Street
20
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 58.4 miles from Fairmont, NC, or about 56m 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 26 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.4 miles or 56m 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 32m
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 Fairmont, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairmont, NC
This is one driving day of about 116.8 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fairmont, 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 58.4 mi from Fairmont, NC · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.4 miles from Fairmont, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.26 one way
$36.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.97 | $39.94 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.62 | $43.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.79 | $51.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.26 | $5.61 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.22 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.35 | $7.48 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Afternoon in Cary on Thursday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
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 53m 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 Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC covers 116.8 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Byrd Street, North Walnut Street, Apple Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.4 miles from Fairmont, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.26 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 Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 1h 53m 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 Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fairmont, NC to Cary, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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