The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Richlands, NC covers 205 miles and takes about 4h 7m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 421, US 64 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.4 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.06 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
102.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 205 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 7m highway drive covering 205 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 421. The longest continuous stretch is about 60.4 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 22 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 60.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in near US 421.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 205 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 19.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
19.1 mi into trip|~23m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...
7
31.3 mi into trip|~36m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
8
31.6 mi into trip|~36m in|US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
8
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
8
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Winston-Salem, NC and Richlands, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
Durham
19.1 mi in|~23m|via US 421
Pittsboro
57.9 mi in|~1h 9m
Wilmington
115.7 mi in|~2h 20m|via I 40
Kenansville
175.2 mi in|~3h 24m|via NC 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
60.4 mi
1h 4m
US 421
38.8 mi
46m
US 64
32 mi
42m
NC 24
23.3 mi
33m
Triangle Expressway
22 mi
23m
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi
21m
South Kenansville Bypass
6 mi
8m
North Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Richlands, 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
2.5 mi·3 min·Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421; NC 150
16 mi·18 min·Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
12 mi·13 min·US 421
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 126Toward US 421: SanfordUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi·32 min·US 421
Exit 126AToward US 421 South: SanfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 171Toward US 64: Siler City, PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi·15 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi·27 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll SouthUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi·23 min·Triangle Expressway
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
14
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi·53 sec·I 40
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 40
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
17
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi·47 sec·NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
18
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
6.0 mi·8 min·South Kenansville Bypass
19
Turn right onto NC 24
23 mi·32 min·NC 24
20
Turn left onto West Franck Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Franck Street
21
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
189 ft·4 sec·South Wilmington Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Wilmington 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 102.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 6m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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 205 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 60.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.5 mi from Winston-Salem, NC
· 2h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.06 one way
$64.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.05
$70.10
premium
$4.70
$37.94
$75.88
diesel
$5.61
$45.26
$90.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.94
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Evening
in Winston-Salem on Friday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richlands, NC
Evening
in Richlands on Friday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
5 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 7m 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Richlands, NC covers 205 miles and takes about 4h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 421, US 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.5 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 $32.06 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 21 significant decision points across 205 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 19.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Winston-Salem, NC and Richlands, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
