Origin
Forest City, NC
Evening in Forest City on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forest City, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
194.4 mi
313 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
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.
Forest City, NC
Nino Souza
Fayetteville, NC
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Forest City, NC to Fayetteville, NC covers 194.4 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 Fayetteville Road, Monroe Expressway, Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.8 miles on Fayetteville Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.11 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
97.2 miles from Forest City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 20m drive with frequent turns across 194.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 51 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Fayetteville Road is the longest continuous segment at about 21.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 194.4 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
34.7 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
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 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
61.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
9
78.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
9
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
US 74 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 306
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business Ea...
Towns Along This Route
Between Forest City, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium, Wilmington and Asheboro.
Spartanburg
34.6 mi in
|
~46m
Charlotte
34.7 mi in
|
~46m
Bank Of America Stadium
61.8 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Wilmington
78.6 mi in
|
~1h 42m
|
via US 74 BYP
Asheboro
129.1 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via US 74 BUS
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| Plank Road | 13.1 mi | 18m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Solon David Smart Memorial Highway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Fayetteville Road
— 21.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cherry Mountain Street
2
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 221A
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Broadway Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
5
Merge onto US 74
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
8
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft
·
11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Use the left / right lanes.
15
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
20
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
26
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
27
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
30
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
Use the none lane.
31
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 74 BUS
Exit 306
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto West Green Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Green Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn right onto Addor Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Addor Road
36
Continue on Addor Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Addor Road
37
At end of road, turn left onto Ashemont Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Ashemont Road
38
Enter roundabout onto Ashemont Road
135 ft
·
2 sec
·
Ashemont Road
39
Continue on Ashemont Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashemont Road
40
Keep slight left at fork onto Ashemont Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashemont Road
41
Continue on Army Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Army Road
42
Continue on Plank Road
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
43
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wayside Road
Use the none lane.
44
Turn left onto US 401
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Fayetteville Road
Use the straight lane.
45
Continue on US 401
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Raeford Road
Use the straight lane.
46
Continue on US 401
9.5 mi
·
15 min
·
South Raeford Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
47
Continue on Arsenal Avenue
362 ft
·
11 sec
·
Arsenal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Highland Avenue
49
Turn right onto Hay Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Hay Street
Use the right lane.
50
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
369 ft
·
5 sec
·
Market Square
51
Arrive at destination
Market Square
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 97.2 miles from Forest City, NC, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.8 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.2 miles or 2h 3m 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 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 Forest City, 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 Forest City, NC
This is one driving day of about 194.4 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Forest City, 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 Fayetteville Road for about 21.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.2 mi from Forest City, NC · 2h 3m 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 97.2 miles from Forest City, 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
$31.11 one way
$62.22 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $33.90 | $67.80 |
| premium | $4.78 | $36.57 | $73.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.19 | $86.38 |
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: 68 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 | 58.3 | 0 | $20.41 | $9.33 |
| Efficient EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.01 | $7.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.22 | $12.44 |
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
Fayetteville, NC
Evening in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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 warmer 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 Forest City, NC to Fayetteville, NC covers 194.4 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 Fayetteville Road, Monroe Expressway, Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.2 miles from Forest City, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.11 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 29 significant decision points across 194.4 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Forest City, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium, Wilmington and Asheboro.
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