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Trip from Fruitland, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

149.6 mi

241 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 50m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Fruitland, NC, NC

Fruitland, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Fruitland, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 149.6 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, NC 9, Bat Cave Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114.9 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.39 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

74.8 miles from Fruitland, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 149.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 1m highway drive covering 149.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and NC 9. The longest continuous stretch is about 114.9 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 114.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 9. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in near US 64 / Chimney Rock Road.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles (US 64 / Chimney Rock Road): Navigation decision point; at 28.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
7.5 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 64 / Chimney Rock Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 64 / Chimney Rock Road

Navigation decision point

5
28.7 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
148.8 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 233B Toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
7
149.2 mi into trip | ~3h in | West 2nd Street

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
149.4 mi into trip | ~3h in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 114.9 mi 2h 8m
NC 9 6.9 mi 9m
Bat Cave Road 6.7 mi 11m
Old Clear Creek Road 5.6 mi 8m
Old Fort Road 4.9 mi 6m
Salem Parkway 4.7 mi 6m
Chimney Rock Road 2.4 mi 4m
Slick Rock Road 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 114.9 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fruitland, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.

1

Start on Old Clear Creek Road

5.6 mi · 8 min · Old Clear Creek Road
2

Continue on Grant Mountain Road

441 ft · 9 sec · Grant Mountain Road
3

Turn right onto Slick Rock Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Slick Rock Road
4

Continue on Slick Rock Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Slick Rock Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto US 64

2.4 mi · 4 min · Chimney Rock Road
6

Continue on US 74A; NC 9

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Gerton Highway
7

Turn right onto NC 9

6.9 mi · 9 min · NC 9
8

Turn right onto Old Fort Road

1.3 mi · 1 min · Old Fort Road
9

At end of road, turn right onto Old Fort Road

3.6 mi · 5 min · Old Fort Road
10

Continue on Bat Cave Road

6.7 mi · 11 min · Bat Cave Road
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
12

Merge onto I 40

115 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 40
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 36 sec
Exit 188 Toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
14

Merge onto US 421

4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 233B Toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on High Street Southwest

459 ft · 15 sec · High Street Southwest
17

Turn left onto Cherry Street South

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Cherry Street South
18

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
20

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.8 miles from Fruitland, NC, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.9 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 33 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.8 miles or 1h 35m 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 29m

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 Fruitland, 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 Fruitland, NC

This is one driving day of about 149.6 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Fruitland, 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 I 40 for about 114.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.8 mi from Fruitland, NC · 1h 35m into the drive

town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black Mountain, NC

75 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

West Marion, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Granite Falls, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.8 miles from Fruitland, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.9 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149.6

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149.6

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 32.1

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 32.1

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 32.1

Old Fort, North Carolina

+18668167584

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 149.6

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 149.6

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Alex Cooper Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 106.9

Statesville, North Carolina

+17048783429

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.39 one way

$46.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $25.58 $51.16
premium $4.70 $27.69 $55.38
diesel $5.61 $33.03 $66.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.9 0 $15.71 $7.18
Efficient EV 37.4 0 $13.09 $5.98
EV Truck/SUV 59.8 0 $20.94 $9.57

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fruitland, NC

Night in Fruitland on Friday

Local time

10:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Night in Winston-Salem on Friday

Local time

10:40 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

2 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

3h 1m 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 Fruitland, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 149.6 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, NC 9, Bat Cave Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.8 miles from Fruitland, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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 straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles (US 64 / Chimney Rock Road): Navigation decision point; at 28.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Fruitland, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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