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Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Brevard, NC

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

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

170.7 mi

275 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 17m ★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m

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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city in North Carolina, United States of America

Brevard, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Brevard, NC covers 170.7 miles and takes about 3h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Boylston Highway, Sweeten Creek Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.7 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.69 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

85.3 miles from Winston-Salem, NC

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 135.7 mi 2h 34m
Boylston Highway 10.4 mi 14m
Sweeten Creek Road 7 mi 12m
Asheville Highway 5.1 mi 7m
Salem Parkway 4.5 mi 6m
US 64 3.4 mi 6m
Airport Road 1.8 mi 3m
New Airport Road 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 135.7 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

134 mi · 2 hr 32 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 40
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 25 Alternate: Asheville Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn left onto US 25A

7.0 mi · 12 min · Sweeten Creek Road
Use the left lane.
12

Continue on NC 280

1.8 mi · 3 min · Airport Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on NC 280

0.9 mi · 1 min · New Airport Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on NC 280

10 mi · 14 min · Boylston Highway
15

Continue on NC 280

5.1 mi · 7 min · Asheville Highway
16

Continue on US 64; US 276

0.4 mi · 47 sec · US 64; US 276
17

Enter roundabout onto US 64; US 276

167 ft · 3 sec · US 64; US 276
18

Continue on US 64; US 276

2.9 mi · 6 min · US 64; US 276
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

US 64

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 85.3 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.7 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 38 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.3 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brevard, 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 170.7 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 135.7 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

85 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

Taylorsville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marion, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.3 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 135.7 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

Electrify America Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 146.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 121.9

Old Fort, North Carolina

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 146.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 121.9

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 121.9

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 146.3

Arden, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

We Rock the Spectrum - Asheville

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 146.3

Asheville, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18285057556

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

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 142.2 — 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.
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
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
6
142 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in

Take the exit toward US 25 Alternate: Asheville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 25 Alternate: Asheville
6
142.2 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | US 25A / Sweeten Creek Road

Turn left onto US 25A / Sweeten Creek Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.69 one way

$53.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $29.19 $58.37
premium $4.70 $31.59 $63.19
diesel $5.61 $37.69 $75.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.2 0 $17.92 $8.19
Efficient EV 42.7 0 $14.94 $6.83
EV Truck/SUV 68.3 0 $23.90 $10.92

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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

3:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brevard, NC

Afternoon in Brevard on Saturday

Local time

3:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°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

3h 29m 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?

This is a 3h 29m highway drive covering 170.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Boylston Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 135.7 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 19 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 135.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Boylston Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near West 1st Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 170.7 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 0.4 miles (West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 29m. Total distance: 170.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Brevard, NC covers 170.7 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Boylston Highway, Sweeten Creek Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.3 miles from Winston-Salem, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.69 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.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 170.7 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 0.4 miles (West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Winston-Salem, NC to Brevard, 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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