Origin
Windsor, NC
Evening in Windsor on Sunday
Local time
6:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Windsor, NC to Cary, NC
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
126 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Windsor, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Cary, NC
C k
Trip Overview
Spanning 126 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Windsor to Cary is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes. Because it is a compact drive, you can easily complete the entire route in a single day, making it an efficient choice for those looking to travel between the Southeast regions of the state. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the flexibility to power through or pull over as your personal schedule dictates. This highway-focused trip is ideal for travelers who prioritize speed and efficiency over winding, secondary roads.
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
63 miles from Windsor, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 98% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating US 13, US 64 Bypass, and the Dan K Moore Freeway. The most significant portion of your drive is a 70.7-mile stretch on US 13, which requires sustained attention behind the wheel. As you transition from the eastern part of the state toward Cary, the road character remains consistent and predictable. This is a practical, no-nonsense route designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 70.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 13 and US 64 Bypass. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK): Navigation decision point; at 113.4 miles (I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
At end of road, turn right onto US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
Navigation decision point
5
113.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge onto I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
123.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward NC 54: Cary
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NC 54: Cary
5
123.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
NC 54 / Chapel Hill Road
Turn left onto NC 54 / Chapel Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
126 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
North Academy Street
Turn right onto North Academy Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 13 | 70.7 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 64 Bypass | 38.9 mi | 41m |
| Dan K Moore Freeway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| I 87 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Chapel Hill Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| US 13 BUS | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 17 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 13
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, NC and Cary, NC.
1
Start on East Granville Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Granville Street
2
Continue on US 13 BUS; NC 308
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 13 BUS; NC 308
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK
4
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 13; US 17
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 13; US 64
6
Continue on US 64 Bypass
39 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64 Bypass
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 87; I 440; US 64
8
Merge onto I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 40; US 64
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 40; US 64
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward NC 54: Cary
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto NC 54
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto North Academy Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Academy Street
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
North Academy Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 23 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid potential congestion near your destination. Since the longest stretch covers 70.7 miles on US 13, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the highway to avoid unnecessary deviations. You will find that the lack of required stops allows you to set your own pace, but do not hesitate to pull over if you need a quick break to stay alert. Budgeting $20 for gas should keep you well-covered for the full 126-mile trip. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from US 64 onto the Dan K Moore Freeway to ensure a smooth arrival in Cary.
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 63 miles from Windsor, NC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, NC
This is one driving day of about 126 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Windsor, 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 US 13 for about 70.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63 mi from Windsor, NC · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 63 miles from Windsor, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.7 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
$20.16 one way
$40.33 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $21.97 | $43.94 |
| premium | $4.78 | $23.70 | $47.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.99 | $55.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Evening in Cary on Sunday
Local time
6:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
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 23m 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 Windsor, NC to Cary, NC covers 126 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 13, US 64 Bypass, Dan K Moore Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63 miles from Windsor, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.16 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 straightforward 2h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (US 17; US 13 BUS; NC 308 TRK): Navigation decision point; at 113.4 miles (I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Windsor, NC to Cary, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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