French Quarter Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
153.6 mi
247 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Fayetteville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 164 miles, the drive from Dallas to Fayetteville, North Carolina, typically takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Navigating this journey involves a mix of local roads like Lower Dallas Highway and North New Hope Road, eventually connecting to I-85 North. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent local climate and landscape throughout your transit.
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
76.8 miles from Dallas, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| Plank Road | 13.1 mi | 18m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| South Raeford Road | 9.5 mi | 15m |
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
Start on NC 275; NC 279
Continue on NC 279
Continue on NC 279
Turn left
Merge onto I 85
Continue on I 85
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NC 16
Continue on NC 16
Take the exit
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
Merge onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Continue on US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS
Turn left onto West Green Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
Turn right onto Addor Road
Continue on Addor Road
At end of road, turn left onto Ashemont Road
Enter roundabout onto Ashemont Road
Continue on Ashemont Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Ashemont Road
Continue on Army Road
Continue on Plank Road
Turn right onto Wayside Road
Turn left onto US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on Arsenal Avenue
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
Turn right onto Hay Street
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
Arrive at destination
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to account for the winding nature of the local roads, which can take longer to navigate than standard highway miles. Since this is a 3-hour trip, you will likely only need one well-timed stop to stretch your legs or grab a drink. Budgeting around $26 for gas should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra in your travel fund is always a smart move for local road variations. Given the technical, turn-heavy profile of the route, try to avoid driving during peak local traffic hours to keep your travel time closer to the 3-hour mark. If you find the navigation on Lower Dallas Highway or North New Hope Road particularly demanding, take advantage of the flexibility this short distance offers by planning your rest break after you transition onto the interstate.
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.
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 34 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fayetteville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dallas, 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 Dallas, NC
This is one driving day of about 153.6 miles and 3h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.8 miles from Dallas, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Charlotte, North Carolina
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Top Coffee Stop
Matthews, North Carolina
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17048417867
Near the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Indian Trail, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm
+17048825555
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17045953344
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Matthews, North Carolina
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17048417867
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Marshville, North Carolina
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+17048908646
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+19804985414
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17049102249
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~12 min detour
Matthews, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17046285072
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Wadesboro, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lilesville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Rockingham, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Raeford, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19104835311
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19104860221
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: Closed
+19803144729
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17046544400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.8 and 88.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Regular Gas
$24.02 one way
$48.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $26.26 | $52.53 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.91 | $67.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.37 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.50 | $9.83 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
57°F
Rockingham, NC
77 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this route relies on local thoroughfares, meaning you will navigate frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches of highway. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that favors local roads over high-speed transit. The personality of this drive is practical and functional, requiring you to stay alert as you transition away from the Dallas area. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns change significantly as you move off local highways and onto the interstate portions of your journey.
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 20.8 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 153.6 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 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dallas, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium, Wilmington and Asheboro.
Charlotte
Bank Of America Stadium
Wilmington
Asheboro
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 153.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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