How far is Fayetteville, NC from Banner Elk, NC?

The driving distance from Fayetteville, NC to Banner Elk, NC is about 220 miles (354 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 184.8 miles (297.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
219.97 mi
04h 50m
Flight
184.81 mi
297.42 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fayetteville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
184.81 mi
Kilometers
297.42 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
219.97 mi
Kilometers
354.01 km
Drive Time
04h 50m

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 04h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Banner Elk
Fri, Apr 17, 1:29 PM EDT
Return by in Fayetteville
Fri, Apr 17, 6:20 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fayetteville
2026-04-17T08:38
Arrive Banner Elk
Fri, Apr 17, 1:29 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:18 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fayetteville
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Kernersville
NC

City in North Carolina, United States of America

From Fayetteville
109.9 mi
02h 25m
To Banner Elk
110 mi
02h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph SW
Destination
73°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fayetteville and Banner Elk.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville and Banner Elk.

  1. 1

    Start on Market Square

    15 m · 2 sec · Market Square

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto Hay Street

    2667 ft · 51 sec · Hay Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Bragg Boulevard

    1970 ft · 52 sec · Bragg Boulevard

  4. 4

    Continue on Murchison Road

    8.6 mi · 13 min · Murchison Road

  5. 5

    Continue on South Bragg Boulevard

    2475 ft · 49 sec · South Bragg Boulevard

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on North Bragg Boulevard

    20.9 mi · 30 min · North Bragg Boulevard

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Sanford Bypass

    12.1 mi · 14 min · Sanford Bypass

  8. 8

    Continue on Boone Trail Road

    2156 ft · 29 sec · Boone Trail Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Isaac Brooks Highway

    43.4 mi · 53 min · Isaac Brooks Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte

    1107 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte

    1.3 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop

    4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Greensboro Urban Loop

    6.7 mi · 7 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem

    5.8 mi · 7 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

    18 mi · 21 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville

    1087 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on US 421 North: Yadkinville

    3269 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight right

    79.3 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    1.1 km · 2 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto NC Highway 105 Extension

    1.3 km · 2 min · NC Highway 105 Extension

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    4.8 mi · 9 min

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Broadstone Road

    2.9 mi · 6 min · Broadstone Road

  23. 23

    Turn left

    7.4 mi · 15 min

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street East

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fayetteville and Banner Elk.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 421 North
80.7 mi · 37%
Isaac Brooks Highway
43.4 mi · 20%
I 40 West
23.8 mi · 11%
North Bragg Boulevard
20.9 mi · 9%
Sanford Bypass
12.1 mi · 6%
Greensboro Urban Loop
11.5 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

US 421 North

Merge slight right

79.3 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 50m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.2 mi
184.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kernersville
02h 25m from Fayetteville
Leave By
7:18 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fayetteville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Banner Elk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fayetteville to Banner Elk?

The road trip is about 220 miles (354 km) and usually takes 04h 50m 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?

Kernersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.9 miles from Fayetteville and 110 miles from Banner Elk.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 184.8 miles (297.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.74 one way or $61.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fayetteville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Banner Elk.

Stop Ideas Near Kernersville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kernersville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kernersville.

BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

14 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

16 mi away
100 West 5th Street
RAIL

High Point

19 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

23 mi away
236 East Washington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fayetteville and Banner Elk. Straight-line distance: 184.81 mi (297.42 km).

Fayetteville

#1 Fayetteville

The most populous city in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Population211,705
Coordinates35.0526600, -78.8783600
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Banner Elk

Township in Avery County, North Carolina

Population1,082
Coordinates36.1631800, -81.8715000
Altitude1128
CountryUnited States
Start: Fayetteville (-78.87836, 35.05266)
End: Banner Elk (-81.8715, 36.16318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 354 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.76 gal
29.38 L · about $30.74
Round trip
$61.47
15.52 gal · 58.76 L
Estimated CO2
69 kg one way
Round trip: 137.9 kg / 304 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $30.74 $61.47
Mid-grade $4.43 $34.37 $68.74
Premium $4.78 $37.08 $74.15
Diesel $5.62 $43.64 $87.28

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 · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Fayetteville and Banner Elk. The current time is 08:38:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.