Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Thursday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Apex, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
93.3 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Apex, NC covers 93.3 miles and takes about 1h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 421, US 64, Salem Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.8 miles on US 421. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.59 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.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 93.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 58m highway drive covering 93.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 421 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.8 miles on US 421.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 421 is the longest continuous segment at about 38.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
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
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 Apex, NC, road signs point toward Durham and Pittsboro.
Durham
19.1 mi in
|
~23m
|
via US 421
Pittsboro
57.9 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 421 | 38.8 mi | 46m |
| US 64 | 32.8 mi | 43m |
| Salem Parkway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| West Williams Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Hunter Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Salem Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 421
— 38.8 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Apex, 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, Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi
·
32 min
·
US 421
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Use 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
22 mi
·
28 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
12
Turn right onto NC 55
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Williams Street
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto Hunter Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hunter Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto North Salem Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Salem Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Salem 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 55m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apex, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Winston-Salem, NC
This is one driving day of about 93.3 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Winston-Salem, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 421 for about 38.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.6 mi from Winston-Salem, NC · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apex, NC
The final approach into Apex, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.59 one way
$29.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.95 | $31.91 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.27 | $34.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.60 | $41.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Apex, NC
Afternoon in Apex on Thursday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
32 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
1h 58m 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 Apex, NC covers 93.3 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 421, US 64, Salem Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.6 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 $14.59 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 93.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 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.
Between Winston-Salem, NC and Apex, NC, road signs point toward Durham and Pittsboro.
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