The drive from Saint James, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 220, Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.7 miles on US 220.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.6 miles from Saint James, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 239.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Saint James, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 51m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 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 62.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 239.3 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 137.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
137.3 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
143.5 mi into trip|~3h 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
201.4 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
8
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
62.7 mi
1h 11m
Andrew Jackson Highway
54.2 mi
1h 1m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
I 74
32.3 mi
37m
Green Swamp Road Northwest
25.6 mi
35m
G R Kindley Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
9 mi
12m
John Gold Memorial Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint James, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on this road
118 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto St James Drive Southeast
0.7 mi·2 min·St James Drive Southeast
3
Turn left onto Members Club Boulevard
0.8 mi·3 min·Members Club Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Wingfoot Drive
207 ft·9 sec·Wingfoot Drive
5
Turn left onto Fairway Village Drive
221 ft·14 sec·Fairway Village Drive
6
Turn straight onto Wingfoot Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Wingfoot Drive
7
Turn right onto Ellington Place
0.3 mi·1 min·Ellington Place
8
At end of road, turn right onto Parkridge Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Parkridge Drive
9
Enter roundabout
243 ft·10 sec
10
Continue
0.4 mi·1 min
11
Turn right onto NC 906
1.1 mi·1 min·Middleton Street
12
Turn left onto NC 211
9.0 mi·12 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on NC 211
26 mi·35 min·Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
15
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
16
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
17
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
11 mi·11 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 311Toward US 1: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 1
1.1 mi·1 min·US 1
Use the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 220
4.4 mi·6 min·US 220
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi·36 sec·US 220
Use the left lane.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
26
Merge onto I 40
2.0 mi·2 min·I 40
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 52 North: Mount AiryUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
2.1 mi·2 min·John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
30
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
33
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 119.6 miles from Saint James, NC, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 53 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
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 Saint James, 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 Saint James, NC
This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Saint James, 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 US 220 for about 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.6 mi from Saint James, NC
· 2h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.42 one way
$74.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$40.92
$81.83
premium
$4.70
$44.29
$88.58
diesel
$5.61
$52.83
$105.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.94
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.50
$15.32
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Saint James, NC
Morning
in Saint James on Saturday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Saturday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 2 to 7 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 13 at 8:41PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 8:14PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
57°F
Rockingham, NC
120 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
2 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
4h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Saint James, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 220, Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.6 miles from Saint James, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.42 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 239.3 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 137.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Saint James, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Moores Creek National Battlefield.
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.
