Origin
Salem, NC
Evening in Salem on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
91.7 mi
148 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Salem to Winston-Salem, you are looking at a straightforward 91.7-mile journey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stays. You will navigate primarily via Enola Road, US 421 South, and the Salem Parkway. Budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Because the route is short and efficient, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit.
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
45.9 miles from Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you won’t be spending much time in high-speed, multi-lane traffic. The route features a series of local segments, with the longest stretch on Enola Road measuring 0 miles of uninterrupted highway. You will find that the road changes character frequently as you transition between these local pathways. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road layout throughout the entire 91.7-mile trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Enola Road 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 Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is easy. At 1h 30m 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 Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Enola Road | — | — |
| US 421 South | — | — |
| Salem Parkway | — | — |
| Marshall Street | — | — |
| High Street Southwest | — | — |
| Cherry Street South | — | — |
| West 2nd Street | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Enola Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Pete Brittain Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Pete Brittain Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Enola Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Enola Road
3
Take the ramp right
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
4
Merge slight left
83 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
5
Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 421 South: Salem Parkway
6
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Salem Parkway
7
Take the exit slight right toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
8
Continue on High Street Southwest
459 ft
·
15 sec
·
High Street Southwest
9
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Cherry Street South
10
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
West 2nd Street
11
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Main Street
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1.5-hour drive, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever suits your plans best. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to keep your $14 budget on track. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, as you will need to navigate carefully rather than settling into a highway rhythm. Because the longest stretch on Enola Road is negligible, keep your map handy to manage the frequent transitions. Focus on your navigation early, and you will reach Winston-Salem with ease.
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 45.9 miles from Salem, NC, or about 45m 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 20 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.9 miles or 45m 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 14m
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 Salem, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Salem, NC
This is one driving day of about 91.7 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Salem, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.9 mi from Salem, NC · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.9 miles from Salem, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.34 one way
$28.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.68 | $31.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.97 | $33.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.25 | $40.49 |
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: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.84 | $5.87 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Evening in Winston-Salem on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 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
31 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 30m 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 Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 91.7 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Enola Road, US 421 South, Salem Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.9 miles from Salem, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.34 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 Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is easy. At 1h 30m 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 Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Salem, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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