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Trip from Wilsons Mills, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

130.3 mi

210 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 23m ★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Wilsons Mills, NC, NC

Wilsons Mills, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Wilsons Mills, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 130.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Salem Parkway, Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.38 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

65.1 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 130.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 33m highway drive covering 130.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Salem Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.4 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Salem Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 130.3 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 13.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.7 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
13.9 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
96 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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.
6
103.7 mi into trip | ~2h in | I 40; US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
116.3 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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
129.7 mi into trip | ~2h 32m 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
I 40 102.4 mi 1h 59m
Salem Parkway 13.4 mi 16m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway 10 mi 11m
US 70 3 mi 3m
South Main Street 0.4 mi <1m
Swift Creek Road 0.4 mi <1m
Wilson's Mills Road 0.2 mi <1m
Fire Department Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 102.4 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Fire Department Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Fire Department Road
2

Turn right onto Wilson's Mills Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Wilson's Mills Road
3

Turn left onto Swift Creek Road

0.4 mi · 55 sec · Swift Creek Road
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
5

Merge onto US 70

3.0 mi · 3 min · US 70
6

Continue on I 42

10.0 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
7

Merge onto I 40

82 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
10

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.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 233A Toward Main Street Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn slight right onto South Main Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
13

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.1 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.4 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 29 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.1 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m

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 Wilsons Mills, 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 Wilsons Mills, NC

This is one driving day of about 130.3 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Wilsons Mills, 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 40 for about 102.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 65.1 mi from Wilsons Mills, NC · 1h 16m into the drive

town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hillsborough, NC

65 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

Cary, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hillsborough, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.1 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.4 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 121

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.9

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.9

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.9

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 37.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 121

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 55.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 46.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 74.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 74.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 83.8

Burlington, North Carolina

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 55.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 55.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 55.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 74.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 83.8

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 37.2

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 27.9

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 65.1

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 111.7

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 83.8

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 74.5

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Lake Benson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 18.6

Garner, North Carolina

+19197734442

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 46.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.38 one way

$40.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $22.28 $44.56
premium $4.70 $24.12 $48.23
diesel $5.61 $28.77 $57.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.1 0 $13.68 $6.25
Efficient EV 32.6 0 $11.40 $5.21
EV Truck/SUV 52.1 0 $18.24 $8.34

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Wilsons Mills, NC

Morning in Wilsons Mills on Saturday

Local time

8:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Morning in Winston-Salem on Saturday

Local time

8:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

56°F

Hillsborough, NC

65 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

7 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

2h 33m 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 Wilsons Mills, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 130.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Salem Parkway, Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 65.1 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.38 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 130.3 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 13.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.7 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Wilsons Mills, NC to Winston-Salem, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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