Origin
Mooresville, NC
Evening in Mooresville on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mooresville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
58.1 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mooresville, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Mooresville to Winston-Salem, you are looking at a straightforward 58.1-mile journey through North Carolina’s Southeast region. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 12 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the drive is both efficient and budget-friendly. You will primarily navigate via I-77 and I-40 before finishing your route on the Salem Parkway. Because the duration is quite short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. This route provides a practical, direct link between these two NC cities without any mandatory stops required to complete the transit.
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
29 miles from Mooresville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 83% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroads excursion. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 34.4 miles on I-40, which accounts for the majority of the time you will spend behind the wheel. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto the Salem Parkway, the character of the drive remains fast-paced and efficient. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and directness to get you to your destination quickly.
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 34.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 16.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 58.1 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 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.4 miles (Cherry Street South): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
16.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Winston-Salem
8
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
Cherry Street South
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
West 2nd Street
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mooresville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
16.4 mi in
|
~23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 34.4 mi | 37m |
| I 77 | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Salem Parkway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Charlotte Highway | 4 mi | 6m |
| Statesville Highway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Iredell Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Plaza Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 34.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mooresville, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on this road
48 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
56 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn left onto NC 3; NC 152
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Iredell Avenue
4
Turn right onto NC 150
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Plaza Drive
5
Turn left onto NC 115
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Statesville Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Turn straight onto US 21; NC 115
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Charlotte Highway
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
8
Merge onto I 77
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
I 77
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 51
Toward I 40: Winston-Salem, Asheville
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 40 East: Winston-Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 51A
Toward I 40 East: Winston-Salem
12
Merge onto I 40
34 mi
·
37 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
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
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
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the I-77 and I-40 corridors is wise to ensure you maintain that 1-hour and 12-minute pace. Because there are no required stops, you can easily complete the entire 58.1-mile distance in one go without needing to refuel mid-trip. If you prefer a more relaxed schedule, consider timing your departure to avoid peak morning or evening rush hours in these hubs. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the heavy interstate traffic of I-40 onto the Salem Parkway, as road conditions can shift quickly as you approach Winston-Salem.
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 29 miles from Mooresville, NC, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.4 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 58.1 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29 miles or 38m 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
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 Mooresville, 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 Mooresville, NC
This is one driving day of about 58.1 miles and 1h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mooresville, 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 I 40 for about 34.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29 mi from Mooresville, NC · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 58.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29 miles from Mooresville, 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
$9.30 one way
$18.60 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
| premium | $4.78 | $10.93 | $21.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.91 | $25.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.10 | $2.79 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.13 | $3.72 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Evening in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°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
1 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 12m 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 Mooresville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 58.1 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 77, Salem Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29 miles from Mooresville, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.30 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 16 significant decision points across 58.1 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 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.4 miles (Cherry Street South): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mooresville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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