Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Charlotte, NC
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
77.3 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlotte, NC
John Hill
Trip Overview
Traveling between Winston-Salem and Charlotte covers a manageable 79.8 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate the Southeast. The route relies on local infrastructure, primarily utilizing Salem Parkway, US 52 South, and US 158 East. Since both cities are located within North Carolina, you will remain in the same region throughout the trip. It is a straightforward passage that provides a practical connection between these two major urban centers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
38.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With a highway share of 0%, this route demands your full attention as you navigate local roads rather than relying on high-speed limited-access highways. You will find that there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch, as the longest segment on US 158 East is 0 miles. The journey changes frequently, requiring you to remain engaged with the road layout as you transition through the various segments. It is a hands-on driving experience that offers a distinct change of pace from standard highway travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 45.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and John Gold Memorial Expressway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
8
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward US 52 South: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232C
Toward US 52 South: Lexington
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway
Merge onto US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward Sugar Creek Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward Sugar Creek Road
6
72.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
West Sugar Creek Road
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 45.6 mi | 50m |
| John Gold Memorial Expressway | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| I 285 | 3.7 mi | 3m |
| North Tryon Street | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| West Sugar Creek Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Church Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Salem Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 45.6 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Charlotte, NC.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
3
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Salem Parkway
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 232C
Toward US 52 South: Lexington
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
22 mi
·
24 min
·
John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
3.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
7
Merge onto I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 85; US 52
42 mi
·
46 min
·
I 85; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 41
Toward Sugar Creek Road
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto West Sugar Creek Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sugar Creek Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 29; NC 49
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Tryon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 29; NC 49
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Church Street
13
Continue on US 29; NC 49
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Tryon Street
14
Arrive at destination
South Tryon Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero planned stops, you have maximum flexibility in your departure time. However, because you are navigating local roads, try to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain your estimated 1 hour and 16 minute travel time. You won't need to worry about complex refueling strategies given the modest $12 fuel cost, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Winston-Salem. Take advantage of the trip's short duration by building in extra time for traffic fluctuations on the local parkway and highway segments. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you switch between US 52 South and the local parkway to stay on the most efficient path.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.6 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 77.3 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.6 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte, 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 77.3 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Winston-Salem, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 45.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.6 mi from Winston-Salem, NC · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 77.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Charlotte, NC
The final approach into Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, 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
$12.37 one way
$24.74 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.48 | $26.96 |
| premium | $4.78 | $14.54 | $29.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.17 | $34.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.12 | $3.71 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.76 | $3.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.82 | $4.95 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Charlotte, NC
Afternoon in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Concord, NC
39 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
25 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
1h 30m 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Charlotte, NC covers 77.3 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, John Gold Memorial Expressway, I 285. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.6 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 $12.37 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Winston-Salem, NC to Charlotte, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Charlotte, NC
More trips to Charlotte, NC
Explore more options from Winston-Salem, NC or browse trips ending in Charlotte, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Winston-Salem, NC or Charlotte, NC on MapSof.net.