Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Thursday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
56.3 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kannapolis, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC covers 56.3 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 158 East, Salem Parkway, US 52 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.80 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 56.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 5m drive with frequent turns across 56.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 158 East is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC is easy. At 1h 5m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 158 East | — | — |
| Salem Parkway | — | — |
| US 52 South | — | — |
| John Gold Memorial Expressway | — | — |
| Dale Earnhardt Boulevard | — | — |
| Ford Street | — | — |
| Cadillac Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 158 East
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Kannapolis, NC.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Take the ramp sharp left toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
3
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Salem Parkway
4
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 South: Lexington
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 52 South: Lexington
5
Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway
22 mi
·
24 min
·
John Gold Memorial Expressway
6
Continue straight
3.7 mi
·
4 min
7
Merge slight left
4.0 mi
·
4 min
8
Continue straight
23 mi
·
24 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Boulevard
10
Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Ford Street
440 ft
·
21 sec
·
Ford Street
12
Turn right onto Cadillac Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cadillac Street
13
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.2 mi from Winston-Salem, NC · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.2 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kannapolis, NC
The final approach into Kannapolis, 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
$8.80 one way
$17.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.63 | $19.25 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.42 | $20.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.43 | $24.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
| Efficient EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.93 | $2.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.88 | $3.60 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Kannapolis, NC
Afternoon in Kannapolis on Thursday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Lexington, NC
28 mi in
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
7 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 5m 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 Kannapolis, NC covers 56.3 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 158 East, Salem Parkway, US 52 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.2 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 $8.80 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.
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC is easy. At 1h 5m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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