McDowell County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clyde, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
285.8 mi
460 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clyde, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Fayetteville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clyde, NC to Fayetteville, NC is 285.8 miles and takes about 5h 44m via US 74 and US 421, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within North Carolina, moving from the western part of the state to the central-southern region. The majority of this drive is on highways, making it a straightforward trip for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, it's best suited for a single-day trip.
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
142.9 miles from Clyde, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 74 | 184.2 mi | 3h 32m |
| US 421 | 57.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| NC 87 | 29.5 mi | 43m |
| Sanford Bypass (Don Buie Highway) | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Carolina Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Great Smoky Mountains Expressway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Hay Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Bragg Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 74
— 184.2 mi, about 3h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clyde, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on Depot Street
125 ft
·
9 sec
·
Depot Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
130 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 19; US 23
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Carolina Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
5
Merge onto US 74; US 64 Truck
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck
184 mi
·
3 hr 32 min
·
US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 421
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
45 mi
·
54 min
·
US 421
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 421
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Sanford Bypass (Don Buie Highway)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on NC 87
30 mi
·
43 min
·
NC 87
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on Bragg Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Bragg Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto Hay Street
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Hay Street
Use the left lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
369 ft
·
5 sec
·
Market Square
15
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
Aim to depart early in the morning from Clyde to make the most of the daylight, especially since this 5h 44m drive is easily completed in one day. You'll have one recommended stop, but with a 285.8-mile distance, you can adjust this based on your needs. The longest stretch on US 74 is 184.2 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 budget is an estimate and prices can vary.
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 142.9 miles from Clyde, NC, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.2 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.9 miles or 2h 46m 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 34m
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 Clyde, 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 Clyde, NC
This is one driving day of about 285.8 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Clyde, 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 US 74 for about 184.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.9 miles from Clyde, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 184.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 285.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 74; US 64 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
8
185.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
|
US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...
7
198 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
8
198.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
6
285.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
Hay Street
Turn left onto Hay Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.19 one way
$84.39 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $46.37 | $92.74 |
| premium | $4.49 | $50.54 | $101.09 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.96 | $107.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.01 | $13.72 |
| Efficient EV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.01 | $11.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.3 | 1 | $40.01 | $18.29 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Clyde, NC
Late night in Clyde on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 1 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Fayetteville, NC
Late night in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
86°F
Maine, NC
143 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
11 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
5h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 95% of your 285.8 miles on highways, with the longest stretch covering 184.2 miles on US 74. This means you'll encounter limited-access roads for most of your travel. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer turns once you're on the main thoroughfares. Surface roads become more prevalent closer to Fayetteville, particularly as you transition onto NC 87.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 184.2 mi on US 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 74 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near US 74; US 64 Truck.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 285.8 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 1.5 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,595 ft
102 ft
Total Climb
717 ft
Total Descent
3,150 ft
Highest Point
2,595 ft
~40.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,492 ft
Notable High Points
2,595 ft at ~40.8 miles
+566 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clyde, NC to Fayetteville, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Durham along the way.
Durham
185.8 mi in
|
~3h 35m
|
via US 421
About the Cities
Starting in Clyde, NC
Full guide →Arriving in Fayetteville, NC
Full guide →Founded 1762
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.
Top landmarks
- • Airborne & Special Operations Museum — museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina
- • Fayetteville — railway station in Fayetteville, the United States of America
- • Confederate Breastworks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 285.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 184.2 miles on US 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fayetteville, NC before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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