Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Barker Heights, NC

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

Drive Time

3h 13m

Distance

155.2 mi

250 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m

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
Downtown Barker Heights, NC, NC

Barker Heights, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Barker Heights, NC covers 155.2 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Chimney Rock Road, NC 9 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.27 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

77.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 114.6 mi 2h 8m
Chimney Rock Road 12.5 mi 20m
NC 9 6.9 mi 9m
Bat Cave Road 6.7 mi 11m
Old Fort Road 4.9 mi 6m
Salem Parkway 4.5 mi 6m
Four Seasons Boulevard 0.9 mi 2m
Glover Street 0.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 114.6 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Main Street

0.4 mi · 41 sec · North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Turn right onto West 1st Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · West 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto Marshall Street South

302 ft · 5 sec · Marshall Street South
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 158 West, US 421 North, NC 150 West Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150

4.5 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 43 sec
Exit 238 Toward I 40: Greensboro, Statesville Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 40 West: Statesville
8

Merge onto I 40

115 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward Old Fort
10

Turn left onto Catawba Avenue

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Catawba Avenue
11

Continue on Bat Cave Road

6.7 mi · 11 min · Bat Cave Road
12

Continue on Old Fort Road

3.6 mi · 4 min · Old Fort Road
13

At end of road, turn left onto Old Fort Road

1.3 mi · 1 min · Old Fort Road
14

At end of road, turn left onto NC 9

6.9 mi · 9 min · NC 9
15

At end of road, turn left onto US 74A; NC 9

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Gerton Highway
16

Continue on US 64

12 mi · 20 min · Chimney Rock Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17

Continue on US 64

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Chimney Rock Road
18

Continue on US 64

0.8 mi · 1 min · Four Seasons Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 64

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Four Seasons Boulevard
20

Continue on US 64

0.8 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
21

Turn left onto Harris Street

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Harris Street
22

At end of road, turn left onto 4th Avenue East

0.2 mi · 54 sec · 4th Avenue East
23

Continue on Glover Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · Glover Street
24

Arrive at destination

3 ft · 0 sec · Glover 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 77.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 34 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barker Heights, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC

This is one driving day of about 155.2 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Winston-Salem, 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 114.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown West Marion, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Marion, NC

78 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

Maine, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salem, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Winston-Salem, 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 114.6 miles.

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 start, right off the route

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

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Taproot Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 66.5

Hickory, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18064078348

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 122

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 122

Old Fort, North Carolina

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 122

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Visit Hendersonville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 155.2

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18286939708

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Alex Cooper Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 44.4

Statesville, North Carolina

+17048783429

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 5.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 1st Street

Turn right onto West 1st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Marshall Street South

Turn left onto Marshall Street South

Navigation decision point

7
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 158 West, US 421 North, NC 150 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 158 West, US 421 North, NC 150 West
5
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 421; US 158; NC 150 / Salem Parkway

Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150 / Salem Parkway

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

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
5.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 40: Greensboro, Statesville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 238 Toward I 40: Greensboro, Statesville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.27 one way

$48.54 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $26.54 $53.07
premium $4.70 $28.72 $57.45
diesel $5.61 $34.27 $68.53

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: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.6 0 $16.30 $7.45
Efficient EV 38.8 0 $13.58 $6.21
EV Truck/SUV 62.1 0 $21.73 $9.93

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 as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Winston-Salem, NC

Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Saturday

Local time

2:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barker Heights, NC

Afternoon in Barker Heights on Saturday

Local time

2:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

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

3h 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

155.2 mi in 3h 13m, mostly highway — 114.6 mi of that is on I 40.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.6 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Chimney Rock Road. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near West 1st Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Marshall Street South): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Winston-Salem, NC to Barker Heights, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Old Fort along the way.

Old Fort

120.8 mi in | ~2h 17m

About the Cities

Starting in Winston-Salem, NC

Full guide →

Winston-Salem is a city in North Carolina. It has an approximate population of 251,000 (2022). Winston-Salem is one of three cities that make up the Piedmont Triad; the others are Greensboro and High Point.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 155.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 114.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Barker Heights, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Marshall Street South): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Barker Heights, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Barker Heights, NC

Cary, NC 256.1 mi · 5h 2m

More from Winston-Salem, NC

Masonboro, NC 230.8 mi · 4h 30m Belville, NC 225.3 mi · 4h 26m Brices Creek, NC 219.8 mi · 4h 28m Biltmore Forest, NC 144.3 mi · 2h 48m Boiling Springs, NC 116.7 mi · 2h 28m White Plains, NC 111.7 mi · 2h 11m

More trips to Barker Heights, NC

Concord, NC 121.1 mi
Weekend drives from Winston-Salem, NC Scenic drives in NC

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.