Origin
Midland, NC
Late night in Midland on Thursday
Local time
5:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Midland, NC to Cary, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
123.3 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Midland, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
This 123.3-mile drive from Midland, North Carolina to Cary, North Carolina will take you approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, and with a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical choice for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Barberry Avenue and Albemarle Road, with no highway driving involved. This makes it a more relaxed, turn-heavy local experience rather than a fast-paced journey. Both Midland and Cary are located within the Southeast region, so you'll be staying within familiar territory for this particular excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.7 miles from Midland, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 20m. Total distance: 123.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m 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 "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 123.3-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you won't encounter any high-speed interstate stretches. Instead, you'll navigate a series of local roads, including Troy Road, requiring frequent turns and attention to your surroundings. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not applicable here, emphasizing the stop-and-go nature of this type of local transit. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a more engaged driving experience, keeping you aware of your navigation as you make your way across the landscape.
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.
Barberry Avenue 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 Midland, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 2h 20m 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 Midland, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Barberry Avenue | — | — |
| Albemarle Road | — | — |
| Troy Road | — | — |
| Courthouse Square | — | — |
| Monroe Street | — | — |
| Jefferson Davis Highway | — | — |
| Claude E | — | — |
| Tryon Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Barberry Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on Broadway Avenue
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Broadway Avenue
2
Turn left onto Barberry Avenue
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Barberry Avenue
3
Turn right
1.4 mi
·
1 min
4
Turn right
21 mi
·
31 min
5
Turn right onto Albemarle Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Albemarle Road
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Albemarle Road
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
Albemarle Road
7
Exit the roundabout onto Albemarle Road
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Albemarle Road
8
Continue on Troy Road
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Troy Road
9
Continue straight
29 mi
·
40 min
10
Continue straight
4.2 mi
·
6 min
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Courthouse Square
341 ft
·
7 sec
·
Courthouse Square
12
Exit the rotary onto Monroe Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Monroe Street
13
Continue straight
10 mi
·
14 min
14
Turn left onto Jefferson Davis Highway
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Jefferson Davis Highway
15
Continue on Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit slight right toward Tryon Road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Tryon Road
17
Turn straight onto Tryon Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Tryon Road
18
Turn left onto Kildaire Farm Road
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Kildaire Farm Road
19
Turn right onto South Academy Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Academy Street
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 20 minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day trip from Midland to Cary. Plan to depart mid-morning to avoid peak local traffic, especially as you'll be on local roads for the entire 123.3 miles. While there are no designated stops mentioned, use the frequent turns as natural points to take a brief pause, stretch your legs, or grab a quick drink. With a fuel cost around $20, you should have plenty of gas without needing to overthink refueling stops. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means staying on track is key.
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 61.7 miles from Midland, NC, or about 1h 10m 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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.7 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
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 Midland, 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 Midland, NC
This is one driving day of about 123.3 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Midland, 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 61.7 mi from Midland, NC · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.7 miles from Midland, 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
$19.28 one way
$38.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.08 | $42.16 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.82 | $45.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.22 | $54.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37 | 0 | $12.95 | $5.92 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.79 | $4.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.26 | $7.89 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Cary, NC
Late night in Cary on Thursday
Local time
5:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Troy, NC
62 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
1 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
2h 20m 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 Midland, NC to Cary, NC covers 123.3 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Barberry Avenue, Albemarle Road, Troy Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.7 miles from Midland, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.28 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 Midland, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 2h 20m 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 Midland, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Midland, NC to Cary, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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