Origin
Northlakes, NC
Late night in Northlakes on Saturday
Local time
2:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northlakes, 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
3h 32m
Distance
174 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northlakes, NC
Michael Ken
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
The drive from Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC covers 174 miles and takes about 3h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on White Fawn Circle, River Bend Drive, Blackhawk Ridge Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.21 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87 miles from Northlakes, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 174 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m 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 3h 32m drive with frequent turns across 174 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
White Fawn Circle 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 Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 3h 32m 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 Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| White Fawn Circle | — | — |
| River Bend Drive | — | — |
| Blackhawk Ridge Way | — | — |
| Gunpowder View Circle | — | — |
| Riverbend Drive | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| Hickory Boulevard | — | — |
| Clement Boulevard Northwest | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
White Fawn Circle
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northlakes, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on Woodmere Point
502 ft
·
26 sec
·
Woodmere Point
2
Turn left onto White Fawn Circle
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
White Fawn Circle
3
Continue on River Bend Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
River Bend Drive
4
Turn right onto Blackhawk Ridge Way
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Blackhawk Ridge Way
5
Turn left onto Gunpowder View Circle
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Gunpowder View Circle
6
Turn right onto Riverbend Drive
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Riverbend Drive
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
144 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
8
Exit the roundabout
433 ft
·
19 sec
9
Continue straight
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
10
Continue straight
0.4 mi
·
1 min
11
Turn right onto River Bend Drive
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
River Bend Drive
12
Turn left onto Hickory Boulevard
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Hickory Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Clement Boulevard Northwest
522 ft
·
17 sec
·
Clement Boulevard Northwest
14
Continue on Old Lenoir Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Old Lenoir Road
15
Continue on 11th Street Northwest
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
11th Street Northwest
16
Continue on 3rd Avenue Drive Northwest
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue Drive Northwest
17
Turn straight onto 2nd Avenue Northwest
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
2nd Avenue Northwest
18
Turn right onto 4th Street Northwest
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
19
Continue on 4th Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
4th Street Southwest
20
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
21
Continue on Tate Boulevard Southeast
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Tate Boulevard Southeast
22
Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
23
Take the ramp slight right
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
24
Merge slight left
86 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
25
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
26
Merge slight right
1.8 mi
·
2 min
27
Keep slight left
37 mi
·
42 min
28
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
29 mi
·
33 min
·
I 40 East: Raleigh
29
Take the exit slight right toward Cary
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Cary
30
Turn right onto North Harrison Avenue
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
31
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
32
Turn left onto North Academy Street
23 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Academy Street
33
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87 miles from Northlakes, NC, or about 1h 46m 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 53m
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 Northlakes, 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 Northlakes, NC
This is one driving day of about 174 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Northlakes, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87 mi from Northlakes, NC · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87 miles from Northlakes, 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
$27.21 one way
$54.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $29.75 | $59.50 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.20 | $64.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.42 | $76.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.27 | $8.35 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.36 | $11.14 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Saturday
Local time
2:41 AM
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
5 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
3h 32m 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 Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC covers 174 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are White Fawn Circle, River Bend Drive, Blackhawk Ridge Way. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87 miles from Northlakes, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC is easy. At 3h 32m 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 Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Northlakes, NC to Cary, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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