Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
177.6 mi
286 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayetteville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Midway, NC
Mark Stebnicki
This 177.6-mile journey from Fayetteville, NC to Midway, NC is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 3 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily navigate I-40, Isaac Brooks Highway, and North Bragg Boulevard, with 37% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $28, making it an economical choice. This route offers a mixed driving experience and is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pacing. As you travel within North Carolina, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your trip.
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
88.8 miles from Fayetteville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 177.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with a significant portion on I-40. While 37% of your journey will be on highways, the overall feel is not a constant interstate grind. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.3 miles on I-40, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The drive transitions between faster highway sections and other road types, providing some variety as you progress toward Midway. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and moments of more local road driving.
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 86.8 miles in near US 421.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 177.6 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 86.8 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fayetteville, NC and Midway, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte, Martinsville and Statesville.
Durham
Charlotte
Martinsville
Statesville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 58.3 mi | 1h 5m |
| Isaac Brooks Highway | 43.4 mi | 52m |
| North Bragg Boulevard | 20.9 mi | 29m |
| Taylorsville Road | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Sanford Bypass | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Greensboro Urban Loop | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| Murchison Road | 8.6 mi | 13m |
| US 421 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, NC and Midway, NC.
Start on Market Square
Continue on Hay Street
Turn right onto Bragg Boulevard
Continue on NC 210
Continue on NC 24; NC 87; NC 210
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 87 BYP
Continue on US 421
Continue on US 421
Take the exit onto US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
Merge onto I 85; US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 64; NC 90
Continue on US 64; NC 90
Turn right onto Millersville Road
Turn right onto Hepler Road
Turn left onto Kerley Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 3 hour and 40 minute duration, this route is comfortably achievable as a single-day trip. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $28, planning is straightforward. The longest stretch without a break is 58.3 miles on I-40, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before departing or plan a brief pause just before it. This flexibility means you can adjust your schedule as needed, perhaps enjoying a leisurely lunch or a quick stretch break when it suits you best.
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.
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 39 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 56m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midway, NC than in the middle of the route.
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 177.6 miles and 3h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.8 mi from Fayetteville, NC · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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.
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 88.8 miles from Fayetteville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Midway, 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 Midway, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.77 one way
$55.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.37 | $60.73 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.87 | $65.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.21 | $78.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.65 | $8.52 |
| Efficient EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.54 | $7.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71 | 0 | $24.86 | $11.37 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fayetteville on Friday
Local time
1:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Midway on Friday
Local time
1:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
49°F
Graham, NC
89 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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