Origin
Hillsborough, NC
Late night in Hillsborough on Saturday
Local time
12:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hillsborough, NC to Cary, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
43m
Distance
32 mi
52 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillsborough, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
Hillsborough to Cary is 32 miles and takes about 43 minutes via Durham Freeway, I-40, and I-85, with a fuel budget near $5 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a largely highway-focused experience, making it a quick and efficient trip. Given the short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day journey, requiring minimal planning but offering a direct path between your starting and ending points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 43m. Total distance: 32 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a good portion of the 43-minute journey on the Durham Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 12.4 miles. The drive transitions smoothly between the Durham Freeway, I-85, and I-40, offering a consistent pace. While not a scenic byway, it provides a predictable and efficient travel experience, minimizing time spent on slower local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Durham Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Durham Freeway and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 32 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (NC 86 / State Highway 86): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street
Turn right onto US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
NC 86 / State Highway 86
Turn right onto NC 86 / State Highway 86
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
8.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke Univ...
8
20.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 5A
Toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward Cary
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Cary
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hillsborough, NC and Cary, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh.
Duke University
8.2 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NC 147
Carolina Central University
8.2 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NC 147
Research Triangle Park
8.2 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NC 147
Raleigh
20.6 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Freeway | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| I 40 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| I 85 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| US 70 Business | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 86 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Churton Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Durham Freeway
— 12.4 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsborough, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on West King Street
96 ft
·
8 sec
·
West King Street
2
Turn right onto US 70 Business; NC 86
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Churton Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70 Business; NC 86
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70 Business; NC 86
4
Turn right onto NC 86
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 86
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
6
Merge onto I 85
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Durham Freeway
Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 5A
Toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Cary
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto SR 1652
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto North Academy Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Academy Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Academy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.00 one way
$10.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $5.47 | $10.94 |
| premium | $4.70 | $5.92 | $11.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.07 | $14.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
| Efficient EV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Late night in Cary on Saturday
Local time
12:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
43m 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 Hillsborough, NC to Cary, NC covers 32 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Durham Freeway, I 40, I 85. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16 miles from Hillsborough, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.00 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 short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 32 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (NC 86 / State Highway 86): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hillsborough, NC and Cary, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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