RNA-binding proteins are altered in large-scale, genome-wide cancer studies, although it is unclear how these proteins control tumor progression. Using unbiased gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis of 802 stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients, we show that increased adenosine deaminase acting on double-stranded RNA (ADAR) expression correlates with tumor recurrence. Knockdown of ADAR in LUAD cells reduces mesenchymal properties, cellular migration, and invasion. Analysis of gene expression patterns following the loss of ADAR identifies enrichment in cell migration pathways, most notably focal adhesion kinase (FAK). We show that ADAR posttranscriptionally increases the FAK oncogene through physical interaction with its RNA binding domain and editing a specific intronic site, resulting in stabilization and increase of FAK transcript. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of FAK blocks ADAR-induced increase of cell invasion in LUAD cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic application for ADAR high-expressing LUAD. Collectively, we identify ADAR as an important regulator of LUAD progression through its ability to stabilize FAK.