The drive from Fayetteville, NC to Avery Creek, NC covers 244.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, I 85, US 1 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.23 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
122.3 miles from Fayetteville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 244.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Fayetteville, NC to Avery Creek, NC covers 244.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m, 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 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Andrew Jackson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 30 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.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 244.5 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 26 key points
These 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 straight 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 left 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
6
242.1 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NC 146 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NC 146 West
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fayetteville, NC and Avery Creek, NC, road signs point toward Shelby and Asheville.
Shelby
157.8 mi in|~3h 32m
Asheville
213.8 mi in|~4h 39m|via I 26; US 74
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
30 mi
36m
I 85
24.1 mi
29m
US 1
21 mi
24m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi
19m
West Dixon Boulevard
15.7 mi
17m
Broad Avenue
15.5 mi
20m
Plank Road
13.1 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 30 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, NC and Avery Creek, 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
7
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Wayside Road
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 straight 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: CharlotteUse 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 straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi·44 sec·East Independence Boulevard
29
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi·3 min·John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi·4 min·NC 27
Exit 1AToward NC 27: Freedom DriveUse the left 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 straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 10BToward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, ShelbyUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi·8 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the 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
16 mi·17 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on US 74
18 mi·19 min·Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
39
Merge onto I 26; US 74
28 mi·33 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward Asheville
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NC 146: Skyland
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward NC 146 West
42
Turn straight onto NC 146
1.6 mi·3 min·Long Shoals Road
43
Turn left onto NC 191
0.2 mi·21 sec·Brevard Road
44
Turn right onto Averys Creek Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Averys Creek Road
45
Turn left onto McDonald Road
77 ft·3 sec·McDonald Road
46
Arrive at destination
McDonald Road
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 122.3 miles from Fayetteville, NC, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30 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 54 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.3 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avery Creek, 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 244.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 30 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.3 mi from Fayetteville, NC
· 2h 47m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.23 one way
$76.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$41.81
$83.61
premium
$4.70
$45.25
$90.50
diesel
$5.61
$53.98
$107.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.4
0
$25.67
$11.74
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.39
$9.78
EV Truck/SUV
97.8
1
$34.23
$15.65
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fayetteville, NC
Morning
in Fayetteville on Friday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Avery Creek, NC
Morning
in Avery Creek on Friday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
7 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
5h 19m 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 Avery Creek, NC covers 244.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Andrew Jackson Highway, I 85, US 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.3 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 $38.23 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 26 significant decision points across 244.5 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.
Between Fayetteville, NC and Avery Creek, NC, road signs point toward Shelby and Asheville.
