How far is Fayetteville, NC from Carolina Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Fayetteville, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 89.9 miles (144.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Bladen County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fayetteville and Carolina Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville and Carolina Beach.
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1
Start on Market Square
50 m · 4 sec · Market Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto Gillespie Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Gillespie Street
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3
Take the ramp right toward NC 87 South: Elizabethtown
1011 ft · 25 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
64.2 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
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5
Continue on Old State Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Old State Road
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6
Continue on Old Stage Road
2658 ft · 41 sec · Old Stage Road
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7
Merge slight right onto Andrew Jackson Highway
13.3 mi · 18 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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8
Continue on Ocean Highway East
3.1 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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9
Continue on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
2537 ft · 48 sec · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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10
Take the exit slight right
6.9 mi · 13 min
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11
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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12
Continue on North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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13
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fayetteville and Carolina Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
64.2 mi · 01h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fayetteville and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fayetteville to Carolina Beach?
The road trip is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km) and usually takes 02h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kelly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Fayetteville and 51.4 miles from Carolina Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 89.9 miles (144.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.38 one way or $28.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fayetteville and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Kelly
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 Kelly.
Wilmington, NC
Fayetteville
Jacksonville, NC
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fayetteville and Carolina Beach. Straight-line distance: 89.91 mi (144.69 km).
#1 Fayetteville
The most populous city in Cumberland County, North Carolina.
| Population | 211,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.0526600, -78.8783600 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Beach (-77.8936, 34.03517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 165 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.38 | $28.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.08 | $32.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.34 | $34.69 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.42 | $40.83 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.