If you are planning a trip from Burlington to Fayetteville, expect a straightforward journey covering 85.9 miles. You should set aside about 2 hours and 4 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $14, it is an economical route that stays entirely within the Southeast region of North Carolina. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this connection between the two cities is efficient and easy to navigate.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Burlington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 87
21.1 mi
29m
Sanford Bypass
19.9 mi
25m
NC 24
17.5 mi
26m
Sanford Road
12.9 mi
17m
South Main Street
4.6 mi
8m
South NC Highway 87
2.3 mi
3m
West Webb Avenue
2.1 mi
2m
NC 87 BYP
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 87
— 21.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on US 70; NC 62
192 ft·8 sec·South Church Street
2
Turn right onto NC 87; NC 100
2.1 mi·2 min·West Webb Avenue
3
Continue on NC 87
0.3 mi·27 sec·West Elm Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87
0.5 mi·41 sec·West Harden Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto NC 87
389 ft·18 sec·North Main Street
6
Turn right onto NC 87
364 ft·9 sec·Northwest Court Square
7
Turn right onto NC 87
4.6 mi·8 min·South Main Street
8
Continue on NC 87
2.3 mi·3 min·South NC Highway 87
9
Continue on NC 87
21 mi·29 min·State Highway 87
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 501; NC 87
86 ft·1 sec·NC 87 North
11
Continue on US 15; US 501; NC 87
0.2 mi·30 sec·NC 87 North
12
Continue on US 15; US 501; NC 87; NC 902
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 15; US 501; NC 87; NC 902
13
Turn right onto Old Goldston Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Old Goldston Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 15; US 501; NC 87; NC 902
0.1 mi·12 sec·US 15; US 501; NC 87; NC 902
15
Continue on US 15; US 501; NC 87
0.6 mi·1 min·NC 87 Bypass
16
Turn right onto US 15; US 501; NC 87
13 mi·17 min·Sanford Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 501; NC 87
58 ft·0 sec·US 15; US 501; NC 87
Toward US 1, US 15, US 501, NC 87
18
Continue on US 15; US 501; NC 87
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 15; US 501; NC 87
Toward US 1, US 15, US 501, NC 87
19
Merge onto US 1; US 15; US 501; NC 87
0.7 mi·47 sec·Jefferson Davis Highway
20
Take the exit onto NC 87 BYP
0.3 mi·44 sec·NC 87 BYP
Exit 70AToward US 421, NC 87 Bypass: LillingtonUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 87 BYP
0.6 mi·1 min·NC 87 BYP
22
Merge onto US 421; NC 87 BYP
20 mi·25 min·Sanford Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NC 24; NC 87
18 mi·26 min·NC 24; NC 87
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on Bragg Boulevard
0.4 mi·59 sec·Bragg Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn left onto Hay Street
0.5 mi·48 sec·Hay Street
Use the left lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
369 ft·5 sec·Market Square
27
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever suits you best. You don't need to build in formal stops for an 85.9-mile trip, but keeping the $14 fuel cost in mind helps with your budget planning. Because the route relies on a mix of NC 24 and State Highway 87, pay close attention to signage when transitioning onto the Sanford Bypass to ensure you stay on track. If you prefer a relaxed pace, you can easily complete this drive in a single morning or afternoon. Use the simplicity of the route to your advantage by avoiding peak traffic hours if possible to keep your travel time closer to that two-hour mark.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.9 miles from Burlington, NC, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.1 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, NC
This is one driving day of about 85.9 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Burlington, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 87 for about 21.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 85.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.4 mi into trip|~3m in|NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street
Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
32.8 mi into trip|~48m in|US 15; US 501; NC 87 / Sanford Road
Turn right onto US 15; US 501; NC 87 / Sanford Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
45.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|US 15; US 501; NC 87
Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 501; NC 87 toward US 1, US 15, US 501, NC 87
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1, US 15, US 501, NC 87
8
46.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|NC 87 BYP
Take the exit onto NC 87 BYP toward US 421, NC 87 Bypass: Lillington
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 70A
Toward US 421, NC 87 Bypass: Lillington
6
85.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|Hay Street
Turn left onto Hay Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.43 one way
$26.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.69
$29.38
premium
$4.70
$15.90
$31.80
diesel
$5.61
$18.97
$37.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 17, 2026
Origin
Burlington, NC
Morning
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fayetteville, NC
Morning
in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
5 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
2h 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition across the state. The journey utilizes a combination of State Highway 87, the Sanford Bypass, and NC 24 to get you to your destination. With a 50% highway share, the trip balances faster stretches with more localized road conditions. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 21.1 miles on State Highway 87, which allows for a consistent pace. Overall, the road personality shifts from regional highway driving to the specific flow of the bypasses and local routes as you approach Fayetteville.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.1 mi on State Highway 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2.4 miles in near NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 85.9 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 2.4 miles (NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles (US 15; US 501; NC 87 / Sanford Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles (US 15; US 501; NC 87): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Fayetteville is a city in Cumberland County, in the western part of the North Carolina Coastal Plain region. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg/Liberty/Bragg (the name of which changed thrice in as many years,) a major U.S. Army installation northwest of the city.
Fayetteville has received the prestigious All-America City Award from the National Civic League three times. According to the 2020 United States Census estimate, the city has a population of 208,501. It ranks as the sixth-largest municipality in North Carolina.
With an estimated population of 529,252, the Fayetteville metropolitan area is the largest in southeastern North Carolina, and the fifth-largest in the state.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 85.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.1 miles on State Highway 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fayetteville, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (NC 49; NC 54; NC 87 / West Harden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles (US 15; US 501; NC 87 / Sanford Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles (US 15; US 501; NC 87): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fayetteville, NC before heading back.
