Trip from Sharpsburg, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 11m

Distance

154.9 mi

249 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

2h 59m ★

6 AM

3h 11m

8 AM

3h 35m

10 AM

3h 19m

12 PM

3h 17m

3 PM

3h 20m

5 PM

3h 33m

8 PM

3h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Sharpsburg, NC

Connor Scott McManus

Trip Overview

Traveling from Sharpsburg to Winston-Salem covers 160.4 miles of North Carolina’s landscape, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route avoids major interstates entirely, you should plan on a full day to complete the trip comfortably. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $25, this trek is an accessible option for those looking to avoid the pace of heavy highway traffic. Since you are staying within the Southeast region, the environment remains consistent, though the transition from the eastern part of the state toward the interior changes the character of the drive significantly. It is a straightforward trip that works best as a one-day excursion, allowing you to enjoy the local roads at a steady pace.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.5 miles from Sharpsburg, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate via Mill Branch Road, South Hathaway Boulevard, and Stagecoach Road, which keeps the experience focused on smaller, winding paths. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Mill Branch Road is zero miles, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and focus to handle the constant turns. This setup creates a very different atmosphere from the typical high-speed interstate grind. Behind the wheel, you should be prepared for a technical drive that requires your full attention as you transition between these specific local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Branch Road.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 154.9 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: near the start (Mill Branch Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Mill Branch Road

Turn sharp left onto Mill Branch Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

10.9 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the ramp toward NC 97: Airport

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward NC 97: Airport

41.2 mi into trip | ~51m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road

140.9 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | US 421 / Salem Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville

154.3 mi into trip | ~3h 9m 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 Sharpsburg, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Sims along the way.

Sims

16.1 mi in | ~22m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 85	42.3 mi	48m
US 264	23 mi	24m
I 40	20.3 mi	24m
Northern Wake Expressway	15.4 mi	16m
Salem Parkway	13.4 mi	16m
South Miami Boulevard	9.3 mi	12m
I 95	4.8 mi	5m
Buffaloe Road	3.8 mi	6m

Longest stretch: I 85 — 42.3 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sharpsburg, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.

Start on East Main Street

48 ft · 9 sec · East Main Street

Turn sharp left onto Mill Branch Road

324 ft · 15 sec · Mill Branch Road

Turn sharp left onto US 301

3.6 mi · 5 min · South Hathaway Boulevard

Turn right onto Stagecoach Road

3.3 mi · 5 min · Stagecoach Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Carter Road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Carter Road

Turn left onto NC 97

3.5 mi · 5 min · NC 97

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward NC 97: Airport Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 95

4.8 mi · 5 min · I 95

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward US 264 ALT: Wilson, Sims

Turn right onto US 264 Alternate

1.1 mi · 1 min · Raleigh Road Parkway West

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 264

23 mi · 24 min · US 264

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road

Keep slight right at fork

309 ft · 7 sec

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road

Turn right onto Rolesville Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road

Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Marks Creek Road

Turn right onto Horton Road

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Horton Road

Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

3.8 mi · 6 min · Buffaloe Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 23 sec

Merge onto I 540

15 mi · 16 min · Northern Wake Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 70 West: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 70

1.9 mi · 2 min · Glenwood Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 70

2.5 mi · 3 min · New Raleigh Highway

Continue on US 70

9.3 mi · 12 min · South Miami Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

42 mi · 48 min · I 85; US 70

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421

13 mi · 16 min · Salem Parkway

Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 233A Toward Main Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn slight right onto South Main Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the turn-heavy nature of this 160.4-mile path, it is wise to depart early in the day to give yourself plenty of time to navigate the local roads without feeling rushed. You have the flexibility of a single planned stop, which is perfect for stretching your legs and refueling given the $25 estimated cost. Since you are relying exclusively on local routes like Stagecoach Road, keep a close eye on your GPS to ensure you stay on track through the numerous turns. The benefit of this shorter, non-highway drive is the lack of congestion, so use that to your advantage by maintaining a consistent, safe pace throughout the trip. Planning your single stop mid-way through the drive will help keep you fresh for the technical segments that define this route.

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 77.5 miles from Sharpsburg, NC, or about 1h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 77.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 36m

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 Sharpsburg, 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 Sharpsburg, NC

This is one driving day of about 154.9 miles and 3h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sharpsburg, 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 I 85 for about 42.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 77.5 mi from Sharpsburg, NC · 1h 38m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Durham, NC

77 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

Durham, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Durham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.5 miles from Sharpsburg, 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

$24.22 one way

$48.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$26.49	$52.97
premium	$4.70	$28.67	$57.34
diesel	$5.61	$34.20	$68.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	46.5	$16.26	$7.44
Efficient EV	38.7	$13.55	$6.20
EV Truck/SUV	62	$21.69	$9.91

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Sharpsburg, NC

Evening in Sharpsburg on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Evening in Winston-Salem on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 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

23 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

3h 11m 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 Sharpsburg, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 154.9 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 85, US 264, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 77.5 miles from Sharpsburg, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.22 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Sharpsburg, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Sims along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Winston-Salem, NC

Belville, NC 225.3 mi · 4h 26m Brices Creek, NC 219.8 mi · 4h 28m Rocky Point, NC 211.5 mi · 4h 3m Bryson City, NC 207.4 mi · 4h 7m

More trips to Winston-Salem, NC

Manteo, NC 292.4 mi Wilmington, NC 235.3 mi Wrightsville Beach, NC 234.3 mi Kure Beach, NC 225.6 mi Sunset Beach, NC 223.6 mi Kings Grant, NC 216 mi

Explore more options from Sharpsburg, NC or browse trips ending in Winston-Salem, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.

Explore maps for Sharpsburg, NC or Winston-Salem, NC on MapSof.net.