The drive from River Bend, NC to Fayetteville, NC covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NC 55, US 17, Fayetteville Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.9 miles on NC 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.59 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
59.5 miles from River Bend, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 118.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 35m highway drive covering 118.9 miles, with most of the trip on NC 55 and US 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.9 miles on NC 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NC 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 55 and US 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 118.9 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles (US 13 / Goldsboro Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 17 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17 North: Washington
7
109 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 13 / Goldsboro Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13 / Goldsboro Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
109.3 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Fayetteville, Lumberton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Fayetteville, Lumberton
9
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|Person Street
Enter roundabout onto Person Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between River Bend, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Lumberton, Fort Bragg and Pope Afb.
Lumberton
109.3 mi in|~2h 22m
Fort Bragg
112.2 mi in|~2h 26m|via I 95 Business
Pope Afb
112.2 mi in|~2h 26m|via I 95 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 55
43.9 mi
1h 1m
US 17
32.2 mi
36m
Fayetteville Highway
9.2 mi
10m
Newton Grove Highway
7.8 mi
10m
Goldsboro Road
7.2 mi
8m
I 95 Business
5.6 mi
7m
Old Pink Hill Road
2.7 mi
4m
I 95
2.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
NC 55
— 43.9 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Bend, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on Shoreline Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
2
Turn left onto US 17 Business
2.4 mi·3 min·US Highway 17 South
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 17 North: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto US 17
5.3 mi·6 min·US 17
6
Merge onto US 17; US 70
27 mi·29 min·US 17; US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 258
0.4 mi·37 sec·Richlands Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Old Asphalt Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Old Asphalt Road
9
At end of road, turn left onto NC 11; NC 55
2.7 mi·4 min·Old Pink Hill Road
10
Turn slight right onto NC 55
44 mi·1 hr 1 min·NC 55
11
Enter roundabout onto US 13
409 ft·9 sec·Fayetteville Street
12
Continue on US 13
0.7 mi·1 min·Fayetteville Street
13
Continue on US 13
7.8 mi·10 min·Newton Grove Highway
14
Merge onto US 13
9.2 mi·10 min·Fayetteville Highway
15
Continue on US 13
6.9 mi·8 min·Goldsboro Road
16
Turn left onto US 13
108 ft·2 sec·US 13
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
0.3 mi·30 sec·Goldsboro Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Fayetteville, LumbertonUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi·2 min·I 95
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 Business
5.6 mi·7 min·I 95 Business
Exit 56Toward I 95 Business South, US 301: Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope AFBUse the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto NC 24; NC 210
0.2 mi·30 sec·Grove Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto B Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·B Street
Use the left lane.
23
Enter roundabout onto Person Street
8 ft·0 sec·Person Street
24
Continue on Person Street
0.3 mi·28 sec·Person Street
25
Continue on Person Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Person Street
26
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
155 ft·2 sec·Market Square
27
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.5 miles from River Bend, NC, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.9 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 8m
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 River Bend, 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 River Bend, NC
This is one driving day of about 118.9 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from River Bend, 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 NC 55 for about 43.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from River Bend, NC
· 1h 15m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.59 one way
$37.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.33
$40.66
premium
$4.70
$22.01
$44.01
diesel
$5.61
$26.25
$52.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.71
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
River Bend, NC
Afternoon
in River Bend on Friday
Local time
4:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fayetteville, NC
Afternoon
in Fayetteville on Friday
Local time
4:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Mount Olive, NC
59 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
2h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from River Bend, NC to Fayetteville, NC covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NC 55, US 17, Fayetteville Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.5 miles from River Bend, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.59 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 118.9 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles (US 13 / Goldsboro Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between River Bend, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Lumberton, Fort Bragg and Pope Afb.
