How far is Cherokee, NC from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance from Cherokee, NC to Fayetteville, NC is about 311.5 miles (501.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252 miles (405.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cherokee and Fayetteville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherokee and Fayetteville.
-
1
Start on Johnson Arch Road
45 m · 12 sec · Johnson Arch Road
-
2
Turn left onto Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ
1438 ft · 44 sec · Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ
-
3
Continue on Paint Town Road;ᎠᏂᏬᏗ ᎦᏅᏅ
2 mi · 4 min · Paint Town Road;ᎠᏂᏬᏗ ᎦᏅᏅ
-
4
Continue on Wolfetown Road;ᏩᏲᎯ ᏫᎦᏅᏅ
8.8 mi · 16 min · Wolfetown Road;ᏩᏲᎯ ᏫᎦᏅᏅ
-
5
Continue on Soco Road
8.8 mi · 14 min · Soco Road
-
6
Continue on Dellwood Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Dellwood Road
-
7
Take the ramp straight
2018 ft · 49 sec
-
8
Merge slight right onto Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
184.2 mi · 3 hr 33 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
12.2 mi · 13 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford
1133 ft · 28 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford
44.7 mi · 55 min
-
13
Continue on Sanford Bypass (Don Buie Highway)
12.4 mi · 14 min · Sanford Bypass (Don Buie Highway)
-
14
Continue straight
29.5 mi · 44 min
-
15
Continue on Bragg Boulevard
2053 ft · 59 sec · Bragg Boulevard
-
16
Turn left onto Hay Street
2667 ft · 49 sec · Hay Street
-
17
Enter the roundabout toward Market Square
113 m · 6 sec · Market Square
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cherokee and Fayetteville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
184 mi · 03h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Cherokee and Sunny near Fayetteville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cherokee to Fayetteville?
The road trip is about 311.5 miles (501.3 km) and usually takes 05h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.2 miles from Cherokee and 156.3 miles from Fayetteville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 252 miles (405.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:28 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.45 one way or $72.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny around Cherokee and Sunny near Fayetteville.
Stop Ideas Near Statesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Statesville.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cherokee and Fayetteville. Straight-line distance: 251.95 mi (405.48 km).
#1 Cherokee
Cherokee is a place in North Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.4742700, -83.3148700 |
| Altitude | 605 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fayetteville
The most populous city in Cumberland County, North Carolina.
| Population | 211,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.0526600, -78.8783600 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
End: Market Square (-78.878408, 35.052733)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.32 | $36.45 | $72.91 |
| Mid-grade | $3.77 | $41.44 | $82.89 |
| Premium | $4.20 | $46.19 | $92.38 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $60.06 | $120.12 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · Nov 07, 2026