Origin
Benson, NC
Night in Benson on Tuesday
Local time
11:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benson, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
121.4 mi
195 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benson, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 121.4-mile drive from Benson, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is a straightforward, single-day trip taking approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes. The journey covers a modest distance, making it easily manageable for a day trip with a projected fuel cost of around $19. You'll primarily navigate Isaac Brooks Highway and Salem Parkway, with a significant portion on local roads. Given its relatively short length and the single stop suggested, this route offers a convenient way to travel within North Carolina's Southeast region. It's a practical option for those looking for an efficient transition between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.7 miles from Benson, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the majority of this 121.4-mile route. While about 24% of the journey utilizes highways, the character leans towards more frequent turns and navigation through local areas. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.4 miles on Isaac Brooks Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel. As you progress, the road will likely shift between more open highway sections and the tighter, more involved navigation characteristic of local streets, requiring your attention to turns and traffic.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Isaac Brooks Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89 miles in near US 421.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 121.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 89 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.8 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
89 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...
8
89.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
94.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 121
Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
101.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 103B
Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
8
107.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
US 421 / Salem Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benson, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
Durham
89 mi in
|
~1h 57m
|
via US 421
Charlotte
89 mi in
|
~1h 57m
|
via US 421
Martinsville
94.8 mi in
|
~2h 5m
|
via I 73; US 421
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Brooks Highway | 43.4 mi | 52m |
| West Front Street | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Salem Parkway | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| Greensboro Urban Loop | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| Sanford Bypass | 10.4 mi | 11m |
| NC 27 | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| US 421 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Isaac Brooks Highway
— 43.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on US 301; NC 242
69 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Wall Street
2
Turn right onto West Lambert Drive
186 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Lambert Drive
3
Turn right onto North Ellis Drive
144 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Ellis Drive
4
Turn right onto NC 50; NC 242
158 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 242
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Main Street
6
Continue on NC 50; NC 242
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on NC 27
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
NC 27
8
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Leslie Campbell Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
165 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leslie Campbell Avenue
10
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Leslie Campbell Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
191 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leslie Campbell Avenue
12
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Leslie Campbell Avenue
13
Merge onto US 421; NC 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
14
Turn left onto US 401; US 421; NC 27; NC 210
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
15
Turn right onto US 421 TRK
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 10th Street
16
Turn right onto US 421
17 mi
·
24 min
·
West Front Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp onto US 421
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 421
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto US 421; NC 87 BYP
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Sanford Bypass
19
Continue on US 421
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Boone Trail Road
20
Continue on US 421
43 mi
·
52 min
·
Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Exit 121
Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 421
Exit 103B
Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Use the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Salem Parkway
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this trip from Benson to Winston-Salem offers plenty of flexibility. You could comfortably leave in the morning and arrive by lunchtime. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break about halfway through to stretch your legs. Given the "turn-heavy local drive" profile, pay close attention to your GPS, especially when transitioning between Isaac Brooks Highway and West Front Street. The estimated fuel cost of $19 suggests a budget-friendly excursion, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.7 miles from Benson, NC, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.7 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winston-Salem, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benson, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Benson, NC
This is one driving day of about 121.4 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benson, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Isaac Brooks Highway for about 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.7 mi from Benson, NC · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.7 miles from Benson, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Winston-Salem, NC
The final approach into Winston-Salem, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Winston-Salem, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.98 one way
$37.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.76 | $41.51 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.47 | $44.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.80 | $53.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.75 | $5.83 |
| Efficient EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.62 | $4.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.00 | $7.77 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Night in Winston-Salem on Tuesday
Local time
11:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Benson, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 121.4 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Isaac Brooks Highway, West Front Street, Salem Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.7 miles from Benson, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 121.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 89 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.8 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Benson, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
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