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Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Forest City, NC

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

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

123.2 mi

198 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 24m ★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 28m

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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town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States

Forest City, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Forest City, NC covers 123.2 miles and takes about 2h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Rutherford Road, Hudlow Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.1 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.27 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

61.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 84.1 mi 1h 35m
Rutherford Road 24.7 mi 34m
Hudlow Road 5.4 mi 8m
Salem Parkway 4.5 mi 6m
West Main Street 1.4 mi 3m
Burkemont Avenue 1.3 mi 3m
North Main Street 0.4 mi <1m
West 1st Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 84.1 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

84 mi · 1 hr 35 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 103 Toward US 64: Morganton, Rutherfordton
10

Turn left onto US 64

1.3 mi · 3 min · Burkemont Avenue
11

Continue on US 64

25 mi · 34 min · Rutherford Road
12

Turn left onto Hudlow Road

5.4 mi · 8 min · Hudlow Road
13

Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A

1.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
14

Turn left onto Cherry Mountain Street

121 ft · 6 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
15

Arrive at destination

Cherry Mountain 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 27 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61.6 miles or 1h 11m 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

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest City, 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 123.2 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 84.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Granite Falls, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Granite Falls, NC

62 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

Mocksville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newton, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.6 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 84.1 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

Top Coffee Stop

Hope House Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest City, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 123.2

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18283672326

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

Hope House Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 123.2

Forest City, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18283672326

Visit website

Taproot Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.4

Hickory, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18064078348

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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 44

Statesville, North Carolina

+17048783429

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 90.3 — 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
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
90.3 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward US 64: Morganton, Rutherfordton

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

Exit 103 Toward US 64: Morganton, Rutherfordton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.27 one way

$38.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $21.07 $42.13
premium $4.70 $22.80 $45.60
diesel $5.61 $27.20 $54.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37 0 $12.94 $5.91
Efficient EV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93
EV Truck/SUV 49.3 0 $17.25 $7.88

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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

1:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Forest City, NC

Afternoon in Forest City on Saturday

Local time

1:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°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

4 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

2h 33m 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?

123.2 mi in 2h 33m, mostly highway — 84.1 mi of that is on I 40.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.1 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Rutherford Road. You will hit about 12 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 123.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 Forest City, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rutherfordton along the way.

Rutherfordton

90.3 mi in | ~1h 44m

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 2h 33m. Total distance: 123.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 84.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Forest City, 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Forest City, NC before heading back.

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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