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Create accountDrive Time
1h 28m
Distance
69.5 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
18 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, NC
R9 Media Photo Collective
The drive from Denver, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 77, East NC 150 Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.12 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
34.7 miles from Denver, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
This is a 1h 28m highway drive covering 69.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 77. The longest continuous stretch is about 34.4 miles on I 40.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 69.5 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 13.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 77 North: Statesville
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Denver, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 34.4 mi | 37m |
| I 77 | 14.5 mi | 17m |
| East NC 150 Highway | 8.1 mi | 13m |
| Salem Parkway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Slanting Bridge Road | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Campground Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cherry Street South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto Campground Road
Continue on Slanting Bridge Road
Turn right onto NC 150
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 77
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Merge onto US 421
Take the exit
Continue on High Street Southwest
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Arrive at 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.
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 69.5 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.7 miles or 48m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winston-Salem, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Denver, 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 Denver, NC
This is one driving day of about 69.5 miles and 1h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.7 mi from Denver, NC · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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.
A short stop after about 69.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Denver, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$11.12 one way
$22.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $12.12 | $24.24 |
| premium | $4.78 | $13.07 | $26.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.44 | $30.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Publix - Tesla Supercharger
Statesville, NC
16 DCFC
Lowes Foods - Tesla Supercharger
Mooresville, NC
12 DCFC
Troutman, NC - Tesla Supercharger
Troutman, NC
12 DCFC
Lowes Foods - Tesla Supercharger
Clemmons, NC
12 DCFC
Winston-Salem, NC Rechargery Relay - Jonestown Rd
Winston-Salem, NC
12 DCFC
Hanes Towne Village Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Winston-Salem, NC
12 DCFC
Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger
Mocksville, NC
8 DCFC
Randy Marion Ford
Statesville, NC
4 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Denver on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Evening in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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