<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001158449</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADVANCE AUTO PARTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AAP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001463421</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Powell Sarah E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5008 AIRPORT RD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROANOKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>24012</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, General Counsel &amp; Sec</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2384</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>40.45</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>38.03</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3169</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>33.8</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-02-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4578</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>25.81</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-11-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2709</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 2,072 shares of restricted common stock previously awarded under the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan which will vest at varying intervals through November 17, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These stock options became exercisable in three approximately equal annual installments beginning on February 21, 2007.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These stock appreciation rights became exercisable in three approximately equal annual installments beginning on February 20, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These stock appreciation rights became exercisable in three approximately equal annual installments beginning on February 20, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These stock appreciation rights become exercisable in three approximately equal annual installments beginning on November 17, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Refer to Exhibit 99.1 for explanation of certain vesting terms of award.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>This Form 3 was executed by Rachel E. Geiersbach as Attorney-in-Fact for Sarah E. Powell pursuant to the Power of Attorney attached hereto as exhibit 24.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Rachel E. Geiersbach, as Attorney-in-Fact for Sarah E. Powell</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
