Origin
Fayetteville, NC
Afternoon in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fayetteville, NC to Forest City, NC
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
193.6 mi
312 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayetteville, NC
Tom Fisk
Forest City, NC
Nino Souza
Trip Overview
The drive from Fayetteville, NC to Forest City, NC covers 193.6 miles and takes about 4h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 85, US 1, Monroe Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.1 miles on I 85. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.98 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
96.8 miles from Fayetteville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Fayetteville, NC to Forest City, NC covers 193.6 miles and takes about 4h 20m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 24.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59.9 miles in near US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 193.6 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 59.9 miles (US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 97 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.9 miles (NC 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
59.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
97 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
130.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
NC 27
Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
8
157.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
7
192 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Fayetteville, NC to Forest City, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Shelby along the way.
Shelby
157.8 mi in
|
~3h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| US 1 | 21 mi | 24m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Broad Avenue | 15.5 mi | 20m |
| Plank Road | 13.1 mi | 18m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| East Dixon Boulevard | 12 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 24.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, NC and Forest City, NC.
1
Start on Market Square
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Market Square
2
Continue on Hay Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hay Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Highland Avenue
4
Turn right onto Arsenal Avenue
362 ft
·
9 sec
·
Arsenal Avenue
5
Continue on Raeford Road
11 mi
·
17 min
·
Raeford Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 401
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fayetteville Road
Use the none lane.
7
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wayside Road
Use the none lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto Plank Road
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
9
Continue on Army Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Army Road
10
Continue on Ashemont Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashemont Road
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Ashemont Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashemont Road
12
Enter roundabout onto Ashemont Road
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
Ashemont Road
13
Continue on Ashemont Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Ashemont Road
14
Turn right onto Addor Road
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Addor Road
15
Turn left onto US 1
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto East Green Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Green Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 74 BUS
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Broad Avenue
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
20
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
22
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
23
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the none lane.
29
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
John Belk Freeway
Use the none lane.
30
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 27
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Use the none lane.
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Use the left lane.
32
Merge onto I 85
24 mi
·
29 min
·
I 85
Use the none lane.
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
Use the slight right lane.
34
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
36
Continue on US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
37
Take the ramp onto US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 182
Toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto US 221A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
40
At end of road, turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Main Street
41
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft
·
1 sec
·
Cherry Mountain Street
42
Arrive at destination
Cherry Mountain Street
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 96.8 miles from Fayetteville, NC, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.1 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.8 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest City, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, NC
This is one driving day of about 193.6 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fayetteville, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 24.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.8 mi from Fayetteville, NC · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 96.8 miles from Fayetteville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Forest City, NC
The final approach into Forest City, 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 Forest City, 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
$30.98 one way
$61.97 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $33.76 | $67.52 |
| premium | $4.78 | $36.42 | $72.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.01 | $86.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.33 | $9.29 |
| Efficient EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.94 | $7.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.4 | 0 | $27.10 | $12.39 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Forest City, NC
Afternoon in Forest City on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fayetteville, NC to Forest City, NC covers 193.6 miles and takes about 4h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, US 1, Monroe Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.8 miles from Fayetteville, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.98 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 193.6 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 59.9 miles (US 74 BUS / Broad Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 97 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.9 miles (NC 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fayetteville, NC to Forest City, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Shelby along the way.
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