Origin
Durham, NC
Afternoon in Durham on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Durham, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
88.4 mi
142 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayetteville, NC
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Durham to Fayetteville, you are looking at a manageable 88.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Navigating between these two Southeast cities will cost you roughly $14 in fuel, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule best. It is a straightforward transit within North Carolina that avoids the complexity of a multi-day trek.
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
44.2 miles from Durham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will primarily navigate via South Dillard Street, Ramseur Street, and Fayetteville Road to reach your destination. Since the path relies entirely on local roads, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention. The road's personality is defined by its winding local segments, contrasting sharply with the high-speed, low-engagement nature of major interstates. While there are no exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches, the constant transitions keep the drive engaging from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 34.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
425 ft
91 ft
Total Climb
363 ft
Total Descent
663 ft
Highest Point
425 ft
~22.1 mi in
Elevation Range
334 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 88.4 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
7.3 mi into trip
|
~10m 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
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
9
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 95 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 Business toward I 95 Business South, US 301: Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope AFB
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 56
Toward I 95 Business South, US 301: Fayettevill...
7
88.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
Person Street
Enter roundabout onto Person Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Along This Route
Between Durham, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Raleigh, Wilmington, Fort Bragg and Pope Afb.
Raleigh
7.3 mi in
|
~10m
Wilmington
41.4 mi in
|
~49m
|
via I 40
Fort Bragg
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via I 95 Business
Pope Afb
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via I 95 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 34.7 mi | 38m |
| I 95 | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Durham Freeway | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| I 95 Business | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Person Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| B Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 34.7 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto South Dillard Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Dillard Street
3
Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Pettigrew Street
4
Turn right onto Fayetteville Road
472 ft
·
21 sec
·
Fayetteville Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto NC 147
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Durham Freeway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 5A
Toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 40
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
16
Merge onto I 95
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 Business
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 95 Business
Exit 56
Toward I 95 Business South, US 301: Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope AFB
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto NC 24; NC 210
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Grove Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto B Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
B Street
Use the left lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto Person Street
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
Person Street
21
Continue on Person Street
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Person Street
22
Continue on Person Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Person Street
23
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
155 ft
·
2 sec
·
Market Square
24
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
Because this is a short trip with no required stops, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up the entirety of your 88.9-mile transit. Since you won't encounter any highway stretches, keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition between South Dillard Street and Fayetteville Road. Ensure your tank is topped off before you leave, as the $14 fuel estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on your driving style. Embracing the local pace of this route allows for a stress-free arrival in Fayetteville without the need to plan for lengthy rest breaks.
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 44.2 miles from Durham, NC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.7 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fayetteville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Durham, 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 Durham, NC
This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Durham, 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 34.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.2 mi from Durham, NC · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 44.2 miles from Durham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fayetteville, NC
The final approach into Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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
$14.15 one way
$28.29 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $15.41 | $30.83 |
| premium | $4.78 | $16.63 | $33.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.64 | $39.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
| Efficient EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.38 | $5.66 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Fayetteville, NC
Afternoon in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph
13% chance
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
19 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 44m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Durham, NC to Fayetteville, NC covers 88.4 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 95, Thomas Bradshaw 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 44.2 miles from Durham, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.15 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 20 significant decision points across 88.4 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Durham, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Raleigh, Wilmington, Fort Bragg and Pope Afb.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 91 ft to 425 ft elevation with about 363 ft of total climbing.
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