Origin
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
107.4 mi
173 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Trip Overview
Traveling from Raleigh to Winston-Salem covers 107.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes. Since this journey is a straightforward trek within North Carolina’s Southeast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the transit. By utilizing local routes like South Salisbury Street, Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, and Western Boulevard, you can move efficiently between these two cities. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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
53.7 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate experience, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. Because you are navigating surface streets, the longest uninterrupted stretch on South Salisbury Street is 0 miles, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The journey shifts through various urban and local road environments, keeping the pace consistent but demanding constant navigation. You will find that the personality of this drive is defined by its local character, making it feel much more like an integrated city-to-city transit than a high-speed highway commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Salisbury Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is easy. At 1h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Salisbury Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Western Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gorman Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Faircloth Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Wade Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dan K | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Salem Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Salisbury Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
East South Street
2
Turn left onto South Salisbury Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Salisbury Street
3
Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
4
Continue on Western Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Western Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Gorman Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gorman Street
6
Continue on Faircloth Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Faircloth Street
7
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Wade Avenue
8
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wade Avenue
9
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Dan K. Moore Frwy
10
Keep slight right
7.7 mi
·
9 min
11
Keep slight right
13 mi
·
15 min
12
Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Salem Parkway
13
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
14
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 39 minute duration, you have significant flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing to plan for major rest stops. Since the route involves navigating several local roads, double-check your GPS settings before pulling away to ensure you stay on the intended path through Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. While you won't need to budget for extended breaks, keeping $17 set aside for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Take advantage of the short travel time by planning your arrival to avoid peak local traffic, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing during busy commuting hours.
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 53.7 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 49m into the drive.
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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 49m 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 21m
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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC
This is one driving day of about 107.4 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Raleigh, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.7 mi from Raleigh, NC · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.7 miles from Raleigh, 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
$17.19 one way
$34.38 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $18.73 | $37.45 |
| premium | $4.78 | $20.20 | $40.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.86 | $47.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.28 | $5.16 |
| Efficient EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.87 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Graham, NC
54 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
24 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 39m 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 Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 107.4 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Salisbury Street, Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Western Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.7 miles from Raleigh, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.19 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.
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is easy. At 1h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Raleigh, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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