This 99.6-mile drive from Rockingham, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. Designed for a single day of travel, it focuses primarily on highway driving, with 98% of the route utilizing major roads like US 220 and I-74. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $16, making it an economical option. Given its efficiency, this route is ideal for a quick transition between these two North Carolina cities, offering a practical way to cover the distance without needing an overnight stop. You'll be staying within the Southeast region for the entirety of this trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Rockingham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 99.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 1 hour and 56 minute trip. With 98% of the drive on major roadways, including US 220 and the John Gold Memorial Expressway, you'll encounter predominantly high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch on US 220 spans 61.3 miles, allowing for sustained progress. While the profile is largely highway-centric, the transition between these main roads is smooth, maintaining a consistent pace throughout the journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 220 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 220 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near US 220.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.7 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.9 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
8
3.8 mi into trip|~5m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
61.7 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 80
Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
6
92.9 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 74
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
8
98.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
7
98.9 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
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 Rockingham, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.
Statesville
92.9 mi in|~1h 46m|via I 74
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
61.3 mi
1h 9m
I 74
32.3 mi
37m
John Gold Memorial Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
I 40
2 mi
2m
Salem Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Lee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
West Washington Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 61.3 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockingham, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on West Washington Street
108 ft·5 sec·West Washington Street
2
Continue on West Washington Street
203 ft·7 sec·West Washington Street
3
Turn right onto North Lee Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·North Lee Street
4
Merge onto US 220
3.0 mi·4 min·US 220
5
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi·36 sec·US 220
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
31 mi·35 min·I 74
Exit 80Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-SalemUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
9
Merge onto I 40
2.0 mi·2 min·I 40
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 52 North: Mount AiryUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
2.1 mi·2 min·John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
For this efficient 99.6-mile route, flexibility is your greatest advantage. You can depart Rockingham at your leisure, as the 1 hour and 56 minute duration makes it easy to fit into any schedule. With a fuel cost estimated at $16 and no designated stops in the data, you can easily manage your breaks as needed. Keep an eye on the road signs for transitions between US 220 and I-74 to ensure you stay on track. The longest stretch is 61.3 miles, so plan a quick stop before or after that segment if you prefer to break up the driving more frequently.
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 49.8 miles from Rockingham, NC, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.3 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 57m 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 33m
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 Rockingham, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rockingham, NC
This is one driving day of about 99.6 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Rockingham, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 220 for about 61.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.8 mi from Rockingham, NC
· 57m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.9
0
$10.46
$4.78
Efficient EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
EV Truck/SUV
39.8
0
$13.94
$6.37
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Rockingham, NC
Evening
in Rockingham on Friday
Local time
6:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Evening
in Winston-Salem on Friday
Local time
6:17 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
15 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 56m 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 Rockingham, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 99.6 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 220, I 74, John Gold Memorial Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.8 miles from Rockingham, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.58 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.7 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.9 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Rockingham, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
