Origin
Wilmington, NC
Evening in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilmington, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
235.3 mi
379 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 15m
★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from the coast to the Piedmont is straightforward with this 235.3-mile journey connecting Wilmington to Winston-Salem. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 28 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip. You will spend roughly half of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Michael Jordan Highway, I-40, and the Salem Parkway. Budgeting around $38 for fuel should cover your travel costs, leaving you plenty of time to explore once you arrive. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of North Carolina, the transition between them feels like a natural progression across the state. Whether you are heading inland for business or leisure, this route offers a reliable path that fits perfectly into a one-day itinerary.
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
117.6 miles from Wilmington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged as you transition from the coast toward the interior. With a highway share of 53%, you will spend a good portion of your time maintaining a steady pace, particularly during the longest stretch of 107.3 miles on the Michael Jordan Highway. The road conditions change as you move off the main interstate segments and transition into the local infrastructure of the Salem Parkway. You will find that the drive balances high-speed efficiency with the necessity of navigating various road types. It is a functional drive that requires your attention, shifting from open stretches to the more structured traffic patterns you encounter as you approach Winston-Salem.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Michael Jordan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 107.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
967 ft
25 ft
Total Climb
1,250 ft
Total Descent
375 ft
Highest Point
967 ft
~220.8 mi in
Elevation Range
943 ft
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 1.7 miles in near Martin Luther King Jr Parkway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 235.3 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 1.7 miles (Martin Luther King Jr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
114.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
201 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
221.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
7
234.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jordan Highway | 107.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 40 | 106.4 mi | 2h 3m |
| Salem Parkway | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Parkway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| South 3rd Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North College Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Michael Jordan Highway
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on US 17 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Keep slight right at fork onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on I 40; US 117; NC 132
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
Michael Jordan Highway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
86 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to keeping this 4-hour and 28-minute drive stress-free. Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, though aiming for off-peak hours will help you navigate the highway sections more comfortably. You only need to build in one primary stop to stay refreshed throughout the 235.3-mile trek. Because you are traveling across a significant portion of North Carolina, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 107.3-mile stretch on the Michael Jordan Highway to ensure you don't run low in a less populated area. Taking this methodical approach to your pacing ensures that you arrive in Winston-Salem feeling energized rather than drained by the time in the driver's seat.
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 117.6 miles from Wilmington, NC, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 10m 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 37m
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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC
This is one driving day of about 235.3 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wilmington, 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 107.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.6 mi from Wilmington, NC · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 117.6 miles from Wilmington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Michael Jordan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.3 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.66 one way
$75.31 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $41.03 | $82.06 |
| premium | $4.78 | $44.26 | $88.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.28 | $104.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.71 | $11.29 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.59 | $9.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.94 | $15.06 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Evening in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°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
26 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 28m 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 Wilmington, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 235.3 miles and takes about 4h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Michael Jordan Highway, I 40, Salem Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.6 miles from Wilmington, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.66 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 8 significant decision points across 235.3 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 1.7 miles (Martin Luther King Jr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wilmington, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 25 ft to 967 ft elevation with about 1,250 ft of total climbing.
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