How far is Fayetteville, NC from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?
The driving distance from Fayetteville, NC to Lake Norman of Catawba, NC is about 160 miles (257.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123 miles (197.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 39m.
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 North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fayetteville and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville and Lake Norman of Catawba.
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1
Start on Market Square
15 m · 2 sec · Market Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto Hay Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Hay Street
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3
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
598 ft · 13 sec · Highland Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Arsenal Avenue
110 m · 9 sec · Arsenal Avenue
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5
Continue on Raeford Road
11 mi · 18 min · Raeford Road
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6
Continue on Fayetteville Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Fayetteville Road
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7
Turn right onto Wayside Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Wayside Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Plank Road
13.1 mi · 18 min · Plank Road
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9
Continue on Army Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Army Road
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10
Continue on Ashemont Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ashemont Road
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Ashemont Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Ashemont Road
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ashemont Road
42 m · 2 sec · Ashemont Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Ashemont Road
2357 ft · 45 sec · Ashemont Road
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14
Turn right onto Addor Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · Addor Road
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15
Turn left
21 mi · 24 min
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16
Turn right onto East Green Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Green Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Avenue
15.5 mi · 21 min · Broad Avenue
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18
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street
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19
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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20
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
2972 ft · 50 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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22
Turn right onto Williams Street
1322 ft · 31 sec · Williams Street
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23
Turn left onto Polk Street
13.4 mi · 20 min · Polk Street
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
32 m · 3 sec
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25
Exit the roundabout
4.2 mi · 6 min
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
69 m · 5 sec
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27
Exit the roundabout
2.8 mi · 4 min
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28
At the end of the road, turn straight
25 m · 3 sec
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29
Turn slight left
6.7 mi · 9 min
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30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
40 m · 3 sec
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31
Exit the roundabout
3.1 mi · 4 min
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32
Take the ramp right toward I 485 North Outer
2127 ft · 52 sec
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33
Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway
13.1 mi · 14 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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34
Continue on H Allen Tate Jr Highway
5.6 mi · 6 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway
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35
Take the exit slight right toward I 77: Statesville, Charlotte
1671 ft · 41 sec
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36
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 2 min
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37
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North: Statesville
1.1 km · 1 min
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38
Merge slight left onto I-77 North
1109 ft · 15 sec · I-77 North
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39
Continue on I 77 North
1.4 mi · 2 min · I 77 North
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40
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North
2.7 mi · 3 min · I 77 North
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41
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North
2 mi · 2 min · I 77 North
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42
Continue on I-77 North
2.6 mi · 3 min · I-77 North
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43
Keep slight right to continue on I-77 North
6.7 mi · 8 min · I-77 North
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44
Take the exit slight right toward NC 150: Mooresville, Lincolnton
1217 ft · 30 sec
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45
Keep slight left to continue on NC 150 West: Lake Norman Airport, Lincolnton
54 m · 11 sec
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46
Turn left onto River Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · River Highway
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47
Turn left onto Kiser Island Road
2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road
-
48
Turn left onto Riverwood Road
962 ft · 42 sec · Riverwood Road
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49
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Riverwood Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fayetteville and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Turn left
21 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Fayetteville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fayetteville to Lake Norman of Catawba?
The road trip is about 160 miles (257.5 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?
Wadesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80 miles from Fayetteville and 80 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123 miles (197.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 37 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 9:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.38 one way or $44.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Fayetteville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Stop Ideas Near Wadesboro
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 Wadesboro.
Hamlet
Southern Pines
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fayetteville and Lake Norman of Catawba. Straight-line distance: 122.99 mi (197.94 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 Lake Norman of Catawba
Township in Catawba County, North Carolina
| Population | 5,075 |
| Coordinates | 35.5868000, -80.9595200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Norman of Catawba (-80.95952, 35.5868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.38 | $44.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.02 | $50.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.00 | $53.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.78 | $63.55 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.