EXHIBIT 5.1

                         [Riordan & McKinzie letterhead]

                                  May 24, 2002

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
5673 Airport Road
Roanoke, Virginia 24012

     Re:  Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
          Registration Statement on Form S-8
          ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in
connection with the filing by Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), in connection with the
registration of 700,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), issuable pursuant to the Company's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").

          In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we have made such
investigations of fact and law, and examined such documents and instruments, or
copies thereof established to our satisfaction to be true and correct copies
thereof, as we have deemed necessary under the circumstances.

          Based on such review, we are of the opinion that the Shares issuable
by the Company pursuant to the Plan are duly authorized, and when issued in
accordance with the provisions of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.

          We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement. This opinion letter is rendered as of the date first
written above, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts,
circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our
attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein.

          Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above and we
render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters
relating to the Company or the Shares.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   RIORDAN & MCKINZIE