How far is Fayetteville, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Fayetteville, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 89 miles (143.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78 miles (125.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m 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 01h 36m.
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.
City in North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fayetteville and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville and Wilmington.
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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
1.2 km · 1 min · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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10
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
551 ft · 15 sec · South 3rd Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fayetteville and Wilmington.
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.
Sunny leaving Fayetteville and Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fayetteville to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 89 miles (143.2 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Mount Olive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.4 miles from Fayetteville and 44.6 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78 miles (125.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 3:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.44 one way or $24.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fayetteville and Sunny near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Olive
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 Mount Olive.
Fayetteville
Dillon
Wilmington, NC
Southern Pines
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fayetteville and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 77.98 mi (125.5 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 Wilmington
The largest city in the state of North Carolina.
| Population | 124,794 |
| Coordinates | 34.2257300, -77.9447100 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 143 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.44 | $24.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.91 | $27.81 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.00 | $30.01 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.66 | $35.32 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.