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Trip from Fayetteville, NC to Kannapolis, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

121.8 mi

196 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 51m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States

Fayetteville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kannapolis, NC, NC

Kannapolis, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 121.8-mile drive from Fayetteville, NC to Kannapolis, NC is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 2 minutes to complete. You'll navigate a route that's about 21% highway, offering a predominantly local driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this journey through North Carolina's Southeast region is budget-friendly. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging, less monotonous experience. It's perfect for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.

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

60.9 miles from Fayetteville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
McReynolds Street 42.2 mi 59m
NC 24 22.4 mi 33m
Concord Road 21.9 mi 33m
Murchison Road 8.6 mi 13m
North Bragg Boulevard 8.5 mi 12m
Albemarle Road 5.7 mi 7m
Branchview Drive Northeast 2.6 mi 4m
US 15 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: McReynolds Street — 42.2 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, NC and Kannapolis, NC.

1

Start on Market Square

48 ft · 2 sec · Market Square
2

Continue on Hay Street

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Hay Street
3

Turn right onto Bragg Boulevard

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Bragg Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on NC 210

8.6 mi · 13 min · Murchison Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Continue on NC 24; NC 87; NC 210

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Bragg Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87

8.5 mi · 12 min · North Bragg Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit onto NC 24

20 mi · 30 min · NC 24
Toward NC 24: Carthage
8

At end of road, turn left onto US 15; US 501; NC 24; NC 27

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 15; US 501; NC 24; NC 27
9

Continue on NC 24; NC 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monroe Street
10

Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27

336 ft · 6 sec · McReynolds Street
11

Continue on NC 22; NC 24; NC 27

42 mi · 59 min · McReynolds Street
12

Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73

5.4 mi · 6 min · Albemarle Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73

114 ft · 1 sec · Albemarle Road
14

Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Albemarle Road
15

Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27; NC 73

2.1 mi · 3 min · NC 24; NC 27; NC 73
16

Turn right onto US 52; NC 73

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 52; NC 73
17

Turn left onto NC 73

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Main Street
18

Turn right onto NC 73

22 mi · 33 min · Concord Road
19

Turn right onto NC 3

0.6 mi · 1 min · Branchview Drive Southeast
20

Continue on NC 3

2.6 mi · 4 min · Branchview Drive Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on NC 3

1.9 mi · 2 min · Concord Lake Road
22

Turn left onto NC 3

1.6 mi · 2 min · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23

Turn left onto Ford Street

438 ft · 21 sec · Ford Street
24

Turn right onto Cadillac Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Cadillac Street
25

Arrive at destination

Cadillac Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, departing Fayetteville in the morning allows you to reach Kannapolis by midday, leaving ample time for activities at your destination. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying attention to upcoming turns will be crucial. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite reasonable, but it's always wise to ensure you have at least a half-tank before setting off, especially since the longest stretch without a significant change is over 40 miles.

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 60.9 miles from Fayetteville, NC, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 27 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.9 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kannapolis, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, NC

This is one driving day of about 121.8 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Fayetteville, 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 McReynolds Street for about 42.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, NC

61 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

Sanford, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.9 miles from Fayetteville, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 120 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~0m in | Bragg Boulevard

Turn right onto Bragg Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
10 mi into trip | ~15m in | NC 24; NC 87 / North Bragg Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87 / North Bragg Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
38.8 mi into trip | ~58m in | US 15; US 501; NC 24; NC 27

At end of road, turn left onto US 15; US 501; NC 24; NC 27

Navigation decision point

5
41.9 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street

Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
120 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in | NC 3 / Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

Turn left onto NC 3 / Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.05 one way

$38.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $20.83 $41.65
premium $4.70 $22.54 $45.09
diesel $5.61 $26.89 $53.78

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: 42.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.5 0 $12.79 $5.85
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.66 $4.87
EV Truck/SUV 48.7 0 $17.05 $7.80

Gas CO2

43 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 14, 2026

Origin

Fayetteville, NC

Late night in Fayetteville on Sunday

Local time

3:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

SW 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 1:51PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 14 at 3:50AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Kannapolis, NC

Late night in Kannapolis on Sunday

Local time

3:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Troy, NC

61 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

33 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

3h 2m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 121.8-mile journey. While 21% of your trip will be on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads, including stretches of McReynolds Street and Concord Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.2 miles on McReynolds Street, providing a brief period of more consistent travel before the route resumes its varied pace. This profile suggests a dynamic driving experience, moving through different types of terrain and road conditions rather than a straightforward interstate cruise.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on McReynolds Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Bragg Boulevard.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Bragg Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles (NC 24; NC 87 / North Bragg Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles (US 15; US 501; NC 24; NC 27): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Fayetteville, NC

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 121.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (21%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on McReynolds Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Bragg Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles (NC 24; NC 87 / North Bragg Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles (US 15; US 501; NC 24; NC 27): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Kannapolis, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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