This 86.7-mile drive from Hemby Bridge, North Carolina, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The route is almost entirely highway, making for a quick transit between these two points within the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, it's an economical option for getting from point A to point B. You'll primarily be on the Jeff Gordon Expressway and I-285, setting a practical tone for the trip.
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
43.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 95% of this trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like the Jeff Gordon Expressway and Governor James G Martin Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.9 miles on the Jeff Gordon Expressway, so you can settle in for some consistent cruising. This route is designed for efficient travel, with minimal deviations from the main arteries, offering a direct and focused driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jeff Gordon Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jeff Gordon Expressway and I 285. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 86.7 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 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.8 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
20.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 85: Spartanburg, Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Toward I 85: Spartanburg, Greensboro
7
20.2 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 North: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro
8
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
63.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hemby Bridge, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Greensboro along the way.
Greensboro
20.1 mi in|~23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jeff Gordon Expressway
38.9 mi
43m
I 285
25.6 mi
29m
Governor James G Martin Freeway
17.4 mi
18m
Idlewild Road
2.1 mi
3m
Salem Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Indian Trail Fairview Road
0.2 mi
<1m
North Main Street
Unavailable
Refreshing
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Jeff Gordon Expressway
— 38.9 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hemby Bridge, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Indian Trail Fairview Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Indian Trail Fairview Road
2
Turn right onto Idlewild Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Idlewild Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 485 North Outer: Concord
4
Merge onto I 485
17 mi·18 min·Governor James G Martin Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 30Toward I 85: Spartanburg, GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 85 North: GreensboroUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 85
39 mi·43 min·Jeff Gordon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this drive offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave whenever it suits your schedule, whether that's early to beat traffic or later in the day. Since it's a highway-focused trip, plan for fuel stops before you leave or be aware that services will be concentrated along the interstate stretches. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-285 as it's a key segment of this journey. With only 86.7 miles, you can easily power through without needing to break it up.
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 43.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.9 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 50m 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 25m
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 Hemby Bridge, 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 Hemby Bridge, NC
This is one driving day of about 86.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hemby Bridge, 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 Jeff Gordon Expressway for about 38.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.3 mi from Hemby Bridge, NC
· 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, 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
$13.56 one way
$27.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.82
$29.65
premium
$4.70
$16.05
$32.09
diesel
$5.61
$19.14
$38.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.10
$4.16
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
EV Truck/SUV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago
Origin
Hemby Bridge, NC
Late night
in Hemby Bridge on Wednesday
Local time
12:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:26PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:16PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Wednesday
Local time
12:07 AM
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
20 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
1h 40m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hemby Bridge, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jeff Gordon Expressway, I 285, Governor James G Martin Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.3 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.56 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 11 significant decision points across 86.7 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 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.8 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.
On the drive from Hemby Bridge, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Greensboro along the way.
