Origin
Swansboro, NC
Morning in Swansboro on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Swansboro, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
116.3 mi
187 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swansboro, NC
Michael Ken
Fayetteville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 116.3-mile journey from Swansboro to Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing NC 24 and local roads like Clinton Road and Catherine Lake Road, this route offers a more intimate driving experience than a highway-heavy excursion. With a projected fuel cost of around $18, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The drive stays within the Southeast region, traversing familiar North Carolina landscapes. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, it's best suited for those who prefer a more engaging local drive over high-speed travel.
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
58.2 miles from Swansboro, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NC 24 | 19 mi | 26m |
| Clinton Road | 15.2 mi | 21m |
| Catherine Lake Road | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| Roseboro Highway | 11.5 mi | 15m |
| Freedom Way | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| Richlands Highway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Jackson Store Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Lejeune Boulevard | 6.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 19 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swansboro, NC and Fayetteville, NC.
1
Start on South Water Street
38 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Water Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto NC 24
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West Corbett Avenue
4
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Freedom Way
5
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
6
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
7
Turn slight right onto NC 24 Business
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Johnson Boulevard
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Marine Boulevard
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
10
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
11
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Catherine Lake Road
12
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 50
15
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
16
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
17
Take the exit onto NC 24
8.0 mi
·
8 min
·
NC 24
Use the right lane.
18
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
NC 24
Toward NC 24 West, NC 24 Business: Warsaw, Clinton
19
Turn left onto NC 24
11 mi
·
16 min
·
NC 24
20
Turn left onto East Morisey Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Morisey Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Ferrell Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Ferrell Street
22
Continue on South Chestnut Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Chestnut Street
23
Turn left onto Fayetteville Street
445 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fayetteville Street
24
Turn straight onto Sunset Avenue
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Sunset Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on NC 24
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Roseboro Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on NC 24
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Autry Highway
27
Continue on NC 24
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Clinton Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto B Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
B Street
Use the left lane.
29
Enter roundabout onto Person Street
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
Person Street
30
Continue on Person Street
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Person Street
31
Continue on Person Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Person Street
32
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
155 ft
·
2 sec
·
Market Square
33
Arrive at destination
Market Square
Trip Plan
Given this drive is just under 3 hours, you can easily complete it in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Swansboro to maximize your time in Fayetteville, especially since there's only one recommended stop. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction is 19 miles on NC 24, so keep an eye on your fuel levels before embarking on that segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $18, so a small budget is all you'll need. Enjoy the flexibility this shorter route offers for spontaneous detours or a leisurely pace.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.2 miles from Swansboro, NC, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19 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 26 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 25m 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 19m
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 Swansboro, 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 Swansboro, NC
This is one driving day of about 116.3 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Swansboro, 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 NC 24 for about 19 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Swansboro, 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 116.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
115.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
B Street
Turn left onto B Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
116.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
Person Street
Enter roundabout onto Person Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
116.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
Market Square
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.19 one way
$36.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.89 | $39.77 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.52 | $43.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.68 | $51.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.21 | $5.58 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.18 | $4.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.28 | $7.44 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Fayetteville, NC
Morning in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
2h 48m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 116.3-mile route, with only 21% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19 miles along NC 24. This means you'll be navigating a variety of road types, from state highways to more local byways. The character of the drive will likely shift as you move from the coast towards the inland area of Fayetteville, offering a changing driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19 mi on NC 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 116.3 miles you will encounter 21 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 61.6 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.4 miles (B Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Swansboro, NC to Fayetteville, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Clinton along the way.
Clinton
69.7 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via NC 24
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 48m. Total distance: 116.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19 miles on NC 24. 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. 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 61.6 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.4 miles (B Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fayetteville, NC before heading back.
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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