How far is Lake Norman of Catawba, NC from Fayetteville, NC?

The driving distance from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC to Fayetteville, NC is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123 miles (197.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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
173.26 mi
03h 06m
Flight
122.99 mi
197.94 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Norman of Catawba.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.99 mi
Kilometers
197.94 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.26 mi
Kilometers
278.83 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fayetteville
Wed, Apr 29, 11:25 PM EDT
Return by in Lake Norman of Catawba
Thu, Apr 30, 2:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Norman of Catawba
2026-04-29T20:18
Arrive Fayetteville
Wed, Apr 29, 11:25 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM EDT

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

Leave by
10:48 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Norman of Catawba
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
Wadesboro
NC

City in North Carolina

From Lake Norman of Catawba
80.3 mi
01h 33m
To Fayetteville
93 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
59°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 4:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Fayetteville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Norman of Catawba and Fayetteville.

  1. 1

    Start on Riverwood Road

    962 ft · 44 sec · Riverwood Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Kiser Island Road

    2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East NC 150 Highway

    6.4 mi · 10 min · East NC 150 Highway

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 77 South: Charlotte

    1415 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South

    2.5 mi · 3 min · I-77 South

  8. 8

    Continue on I 77 South

    2.1 mi · 2 min · I 77 South

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 77 South

    2.3 mi · 3 min · I 77 South

  10. 10

    Continue on I-77 South

    1990 ft · 26 sec · I-77 South

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I-77 South

    1.1 mi · 1 min · I-77 South

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews

    1201 ft · 29 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 485 North Inner: Matthews

    1.3 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 485 North Inner: Matthews

    1526 ft · 37 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto H Allen Tate Jr Highway

    6.6 mi · 7 min · H Allen Tate Jr Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway

    13 mi · 14 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 218: Mint Hill

    1665 ft · 46 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Fairview Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Fairview Road

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    38 m · 3 sec

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout

    6.7 mi · 9 min

  22. 22

    Turn slight left

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    71 m · 5 sec

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  25. 25

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    39 m · 3 sec

  26. 26

    Exit the roundabout

    13.4 mi · 20 min

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Williams Street

    1319 ft · 29 sec · Williams Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto W. Cliff Martin Highway

    137 m · 7 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight left

    151 m · 20 sec

  30. 30

    Turn left onto W. Cliff Martin Highway

    2922 ft · 45 sec · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  32. 32

    Continue on Salisbury Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street

  33. 33

    Continue on West Caswell Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street

  34. 34

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  35. 35

    Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro

    5.3 mi · 8 min

  36. 36

    Turn left onto West Green Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · West Green Street

  37. 37

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road

    21 mi · 24 min · Fayetteville Road

  38. 38

    Turn right onto Addor Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Addor Road

  39. 39

    Continue on Addor Road

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Addor Road

  40. 40

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Ashemont Road

    2362 ft · 45 sec · Ashemont Road

  41. 41

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ashemont Road

    41 m · 2 sec · Ashemont Road

  42. 42

    Exit the roundabout onto Ashemont Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Ashemont Road

  43. 43

    Keep slight left to continue on Ashemont Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Ashemont Road

  44. 44

    Continue on Army Road

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Army Road

  45. 45

    Continue on Plank Road

    13.1 mi · 18 min · Plank Road

  46. 46

    Turn right onto Wayside Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Wayside Road

  47. 47

    Turn left onto Fayetteville Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fayetteville Road

  48. 48

    Continue on Raeford Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Raeford Road

  49. 49

    Continue on South Raeford Road

    9.5 mi · 16 min · South Raeford Road

  50. 50

    Continue on Arsenal Avenue

    110 m · 11 sec · Arsenal Avenue

  51. 51

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    598 ft · 18 sec · Highland Avenue

  52. 52

    Turn right onto Hay Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Hay Street

  53. 53

    Enter the roundabout toward Market Square

    113 m · 6 sec · Market Square

  54. 54

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Market Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Fayetteville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
54 steps
24 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
2 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Fairview Road
27.6 mi · 16%
Fayetteville Road
21.8 mi · 13%
Plank Road
13.1 mi · 8%
Governor James G Martin Freeway
13 mi · 7%
I 77 South
11.8 mi · 7%
Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Fayetteville Road

At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road

21 mi · 00h 24m

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
03h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.2 mi
123 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wadesboro
01h 33m from Lake Norman of Catawba
Leave By
10:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Norman of Catawba and Mostly Cloudy near Fayetteville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Norman of Catawba to Fayetteville?

The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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 80.3 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba and 93 miles from Fayetteville.

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 50.2 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 10:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.20 one way or $48.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Norman of Catawba and Mostly Cloudy near Fayetteville.

Stop Ideas Near Wadesboro

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wadesboro, 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 Wadesboro.

RAIL

Hamlet

36 mi away
West Main St. and North Bridges St.
RAIL

Southern Pines

66 mi away
235 Northwest Broad Street
RAIL

Charlotte

74 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Kannapolis

77 mi away
201 South Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Fayetteville. Straight-line distance: 122.99 mi (197.94 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Lake Norman of Catawba

Township in Catawba County, North Carolina

Population5,075
Coordinates35.5868000, -80.9595200
Altitude248
CountryUnited States
Fayetteville

#2 Fayetteville

The most populous city in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Population211,705
Coordinates35.0526600, -78.8783600
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Start: Riverwood Road (-80.959512, 35.586635)
End: Market Square (-78.878408, 35.052733)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.14 L · about $24.20
Round trip
$48.40
12.22 gal · 46.28 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.20 $48.40
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.06 $54.12
Premium $4.78 $29.19 $58.39
Diesel $5.62 $34.36 $68.73

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

There is no time difference between Lake Norman of Catawba and Fayetteville. The current time is 20:18:49.

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.