Origin
Charlotte, NC
Evening in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
8:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlotte, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
77.4 mi
125 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
John Hill
Trip Overview
Traveling between Charlotte and Winston-Salem is a straightforward 79.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. Both cities are located within the Southeast, so you will remain in a familiar geographic environment throughout the entire drive. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, this route offers a direct connection between these two North Carolina hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from Charlotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 79.2-mile path. You will navigate via West Sugar Creek Road, I-85 North, and the Julius Chambers Highway to reach your destination. Interestingly, the route features 0% highway share in terms of traditional long-haul cruising, meaning you will spend your time navigating local roads. Since the longest stretch on any single road is 0 miles on West Sugar Creek Road, you should be prepared for a drive that requires your full attention. It is a technical, hands-on experience behind the wheel that differs significantly from a standard highway slog.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Julius Chambers Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 45.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near West Sugar Creek Road.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 77.4 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 3.5 miles (West Sugar Creek Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles (I 285; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
West Sugar Creek Road
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
50.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Win...
8
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 285; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
8
76.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 109B
Toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
7
76.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Chambers Highway | 45.4 mi | 51m |
| I 285 | 25.6 mi | 29m |
| South Tryon Street | 3.5 mi | 7m |
| West Sugar Creek Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Salem Parkway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Julius Chambers Highway
— 45.4 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on South Tryon Street
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
South Tryon Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sugar Creek Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 85 North: Concord
4
Merge onto I 85
45 mi
·
51 min
·
Julius Chambers Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 285; US 52
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 109B
Toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Salem Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 16-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the trip is short and requires no planned stops, you can easily tailor your schedule to avoid peak traffic hours in either Charlotte or Winston-Salem. Keep your $12 fuel budget in mind as you prep your vehicle for the 79.2-mile trek. Because this is a turn-heavy route, rely on your GPS early and often to stay on track through the local road segments. Take advantage of the lack of mandatory stops to make the trip as efficient as possible, allowing you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.7 miles from Charlotte, NC, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.4 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 77.4 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 77.4 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlotte, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Julius Chambers Highway for about 45.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.7 mi from Charlotte, NC · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 77.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.7 miles from Charlotte, 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
$12.39 one way
$24.77 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.50 | $26.99 |
| premium | $4.78 | $14.56 | $29.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.20 | $34.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.13 | $3.72 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.77 | $3.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31 | 0 | $10.84 | $4.95 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Evening in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
8:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Concord, NC
39 mi in
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
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 32m 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 Charlotte, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 77.4 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Chambers Highway, I 285, South Tryon Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.7 miles from Charlotte, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.39 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 77.4 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 3.5 miles (West Sugar Creek Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles (I 285; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Charlotte, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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