Traveling from the coastal charm of Southport to the inland hub of Fayetteville covers 105.6 miles in roughly 2 hours and 25 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the journey. The route transitions you from the Southeast coast toward the interior, offering a consistent pace for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. It is a reliable, no-nonsense connection between these two North Carolina cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Southport, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 87
70.3 mi
1h 35m
George II Highway
11.7 mi
16m
Andrew Jackson Highway
8.4 mi
11m
I 140
5.6 mi
6m
Ocean Highway East
3.5 mi
4m
River Road Southeast
3.3 mi
5m
North Howe Street
1.2 mi
2m
Gillespie Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NC 87
— 70.3 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southport, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on NC 211
1.2 mi·2 min·North Howe Street
2
Turn straight
381 ft·13 sec
3
Turn slight right onto NC 87
3.3 mi·5 min·River Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn straight onto NC 87
12 mi·16 min·George II Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Merge onto US 17; NC 87
3.5 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto I 140
5.6 mi·6 min·I 140
Exit 39Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New BernUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
310 ft·9 sec
9
Merge onto US 74; US 76
8.4 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
10
Take the exit onto NC 87
70 mi·1 hr 35 min·NC 87
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
12
Turn left onto Gillespie Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Gillespie Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
253 ft·4 sec·Market Square
14
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour-and-25-minute trek, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that best fits your schedule without worrying about mid-trip lodging. Keep in mind that with no official stops required, you can easily complete the 105.6 miles in one go, though planning for a quick break during your longest 70.3-mile stretch on NC 87 is a smart way to stay alert. Check your fuel levels before you leave Southport, as the $17 estimate assumes a standard vehicle efficiency for this specific distance. Utilizing the major highway corridors helps you maintain a consistent pace, but keep an eye on your speed as you transition between the various highway segments throughout the day.
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 52.8 miles from Southport, NC, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.3 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 59m
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 Southport, 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 Southport, NC
This is one driving day of about 105.6 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Southport, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NC 87 for about 70.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 104.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.3 mi into trip|~24m in|US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East
Merge onto US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
19.8 mi into trip|~29m in|I 140
Take the exit onto I 140 toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39
Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New...
5
25.7 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
34.1 mi into trip|~48m in|NC 87
Take the exit onto NC 87
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
104.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|Gillespie Street
Turn left onto Gillespie Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.51 one way
$33.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.06
$36.11
premium
$4.70
$19.54
$39.09
diesel
$5.61
$23.32
$46.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.24
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.78
$6.76
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 12, 2026
Origin
Southport, NC
Morning
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Fayetteville, NC
Morning
in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
S 9 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
2h 25m 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 drive defined by purpose, as 72% of the journey relies on major highways like NC 87, George II Highway, and Andrew Jackson Highway. The experience is dominated by a substantial 70.3-mile stretch on NC 87, which serves as the backbone of your trip. While you will encounter a mix of highway speeds, the route maintains a steady, predictable flow rather than a technical or winding path. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns remain relatively uniform, allowing for a focused driving experience that prioritizes direct travel over recreational curves.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.3 mi on NC 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 87 and George II Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in near US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 105.6 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 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
146 ft17 ft
Total Climb
180 ft
Total Descent
94 ft
Highest Point
146 ft
~75.5 mi in
Elevation Range
130 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southport, NC and Fayetteville, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville and New Bern.
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 25m. Total distance: 105.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.3 miles on NC 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 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fayetteville, NC before heading back.
