Connecting Kings Mountain to Fayetteville, this 161.7-mile journey through the Southeast takes approximately 3 hours and 36 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget about $26 for fuel to cover the distance. The route utilizes a mix of local roads and expressways, including the Monroe Expressway and Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. Since both cities are located within North Carolina, you will remain within the same state throughout your travel, making for a straightforward navigation experience.
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
80.9 miles from Kings Mountain, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fayetteville Road
21.8 mi
25m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 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
Longest stretch:
Fayetteville Road
— 21.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kings Mountain, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on this road
86 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NC 216
0.3 mi·36 sec·North Piedmont Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 74 East: Gastonia
4
Merge onto US 74
1.3 mi·1 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 85
18 mi·21 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft·11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America StadiumUse the left / right lanes.
11
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
12
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
16
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
22
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
23
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
25
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
26
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
27
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS
5.3 mi·7 min·US 74 BUS
Exit 306Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, AsheboroUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn left onto West Green Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West Green Street
30
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
21 mi·24 min·Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Addor Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Addor Road
32
Continue on Addor Road
2.5 mi·3 min·Addor Road
33
At end of road, turn left onto Ashemont Road
0.4 mi·45 sec·Ashemont Road
34
Enter roundabout onto Ashemont Road
135 ft·2 sec·Ashemont Road
35
Continue on Ashemont Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Ashemont Road
36
Keep slight left at fork onto Ashemont Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Ashemont Road
37
Continue on Army Road
3.6 mi·5 min·Army Road
38
Continue on Plank Road
13 mi·18 min·Plank Road
39
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Wayside Road
40
Turn left onto US 401
0.8 mi·1 min·Fayetteville Road
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on US 401
1.4 mi·1 min·Raeford Road
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on US 401
9.5 mi·15 min·South Raeford Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
43
Continue on Arsenal Avenue
362 ft·11 sec·Arsenal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Highland Avenue
45
Turn right onto Hay Street
1.2 mi·1 min·Hay Street
Use the right lane.
46
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
369 ft·5 sec·Market Square
47
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 3-hour and 36-minute duration, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing than a straight highway drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. Because the drive relies heavily on local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that require frequent slowing. Using the Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway effectively can help you maintain steady progress across this 161.7-mile cross-state connection.
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 80.9 miles from Kings Mountain, NC, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.8 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.9 miles or 1h 44m 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 52m
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 Kings Mountain, 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 Kings Mountain, NC
This is one driving day of about 161.7 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Kings Mountain, 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 Fayetteville Road for about 21.8 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
28.9 mi into trip|~35m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
29.1 mi into trip|~35m in
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
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
9
46 mi into trip|~59m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
9
96.4 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 74 BUS
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 306
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business Ea...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.29 one way
$50.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.65
$55.30
premium
$4.70
$29.93
$59.85
diesel
$5.61
$35.70
$71.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.5
0
$16.98
$7.76
Efficient EV
40.4
0
$14.15
$6.47
EV Truck/SUV
64.7
0
$22.64
$10.35
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kings Mountain, NC
Morning
in Kings Mountain on Sunday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fayetteville, NC
Morning
in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 6 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 12:59PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
57°F
Rockingham, NC
81 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
13 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
3h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 20% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating secondary roads that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 21.8-mile segment on Fayetteville Road, providing a brief break from frequent turns. This transition between local thoroughfares and the Monroe Expressway creates a varied driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Prepare for a personality that favors winding local paths over high-speed highway transit.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.8 mi on Fayetteville Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2 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 27 significant decision points across 161.7 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 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,001 ft102 ft
Total Climb
370 ft
Total Descent
1,269 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
Elevation Range
899 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kings Mountain, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium, Wilmington and 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 161.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.8 miles on Fayetteville Road. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Fayetteville, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
