Origin
Summerfield, NC
Night in Summerfield on Tuesday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Summerfield, NC to Cary, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
83.9 mi
135 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Summerfield, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
This straightforward, 83.9-mile drive from Summerfield, NC to Cary, NC takes approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it primarily utilizes major highways, making it an efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region, staying within North Carolina for the entire trip. This route is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss, direct path between these two points, minimizing travel time and maximizing your time at your destination.
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
42 miles from Summerfield, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 83.9-mile route, with 72% of the drive on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.1 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate primarily via I-40, the Greensboro Urban Loop, and Battleground Avenue. The character of the drive is largely one of efficient travel, with ample opportunities for maintaining speed, rather than winding country roads. This profile suggests a drive where the focus is on covering distance smoothly and directly.
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.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 60.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Greensboro Urban Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 220; NC 150 / Battleground Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 83.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 220; NC 150 / Battleground Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: 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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 220; NC 150 / Battleground Avenue
Turn right onto US 220; NC 150 / Battleground Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
19.5 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 40, I 85 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40, I 85 North
8
19.6 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East, I 85 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North
7
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
6
80.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 60.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Greensboro Urban Loop | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Battleground Avenue | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Oak Ridge Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Academy Street | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.1 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summerfield, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on NC 150
247 ft
·
33 sec
·
Oak Ridge Road
2
Continue on NC 150
223 ft
·
5 sec
·
Oak Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto US 220; NC 150
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Battleground Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 840
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 40, I 85 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
31 mi
·
36 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
29 mi
·
33 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 43-minute duration, this trip from Summerfield to Cary is perfectly suited for a same-day adventure. Consider an early morning departure to bypass any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach the Raleigh-Durham area. With no specific stops recommended, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed for breaks or fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-40 covers over 60 miles without a mandatory exit for this particular route segment. The estimated fuel cost of $13 makes it easy to budget for.
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 42 miles from Summerfield, NC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.1 miles.
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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 52m 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 26m
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 Summerfield, 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 Summerfield, NC
This is one driving day of about 83.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Summerfield, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 60.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42 mi from Summerfield, NC · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 42 miles from Summerfield, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.1 miles.
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
$13.12 one way
$26.24 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.35 | $28.69 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.53 | $31.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.52 | $37.05 |
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: 29.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.81 | $4.03 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.34 | $3.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.75 | $5.37 |
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
Night in Cary on Tuesday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Graham, NC
42 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 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 Summerfield, NC to Cary, NC covers 83.9 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Greensboro Urban Loop, Battleground Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42 miles from Summerfield, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.12 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 83.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 220; NC 150 / Battleground Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Summerfield, NC to Cary, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cary, NC
More from Summerfield, NC
More trips to Cary, NC
Explore more options from Summerfield, NC or browse trips ending in Cary, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Summerfield, NC or Cary, NC on MapSof.net.