Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Sunset Beach, NC

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

Drive Time

4h 39m

Distance

219.9 mi

354 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 26m ★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America

Sunset Beach, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Sunset Beach, NC covers 219.9 miles and takes about 4h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 74, American Indian Highway, Andrew Jackson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89 miles on I 74. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.39 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

109.9 miles from Winston-Salem, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 219.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Sunset Beach, NC covers 219.9 miles and takes about 4h 39m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 74 is the longest continuous segment at about 89 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 219.9 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 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These 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
7
3.4 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 40 East: Greensboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 107A Toward I 40 East: Greensboro
7
5.9 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 74

Take the exit onto I 74 toward I 74 East: High Point

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 196 Toward I 74 East: High Point
7
94.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | US 220

Take the exit onto US 220 toward US 220 South: Rockingham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 22 Toward US 220 South: Rockingham

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 74 89 mi 1h 39m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
Andrew Jackson Highway 27.2 mi 29m
New Britton Highway East 17 mi 29m
East Hamlet Avenue 12.8 mi 16m
Longwood Road Northwest 8.9 mi 18m
US 220 4.8 mi 6m
Seaside Road Southwest 3.6 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 74 — 89 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Sunset Beach, 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

2.2 mi · 3 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 107A Toward I 40 East: Greensboro Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 40

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 40
8

Take the exit onto I 74

89 mi · 1 hr 39 min · I 74
Exit 196 Toward I 74 East: High Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto US 220

4.8 mi · 6 min · US 220
Exit 22 Toward US 220 South: Rockingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto US 74 BUS

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Avenue
11

Continue on US 74 BUS

3.5 mi · 5 min · Hamlet Avenue
12

Turn left onto US 74 BUS

466 ft · 11 sec · Raleigh Street
13

Turn right onto US 74 BUS

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Spring Street
14

Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue

13 mi · 16 min · East Hamlet Avenue
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

10 mi · 10 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on US 74

34 mi · 36 min · American Indian Highway
17

Continue on US 74; NC 130

17 mi · 18 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 701 Bypass

1.2 mi · 2 min · Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Jk Powell Boulevard
21

Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Powell Boulevard
22

Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130

1.4 mi · 2 min · South J K Powell Boulevard
23

Turn left onto NC 130

0.3 mi · 33 sec · West Love Mill Road
24

Turn straight onto NC 130

1.5 mi · 2 min · Vinson Boulevard
25

Continue on NC 130

17 mi · 29 min · New Britton Highway East
26

Continue on NC 130

3.2 mi · 4 min · Whiteville Road Northwest
27

Turn slight right onto Longwood Road Northwest

8.9 mi · 18 min · Longwood Road Northwest
28

Continue on NC 904

3.6 mi · 5 min · Seaside Road Southwest
29

Turn right onto NC 179 Business

1.7 mi · 3 min · Sunset Boulevard North
30

Enter roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South

31 ft · 0 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
31

Continue on Sunset Boulevard South

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
32

Arrive at destination

Sunset Boulevard South

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 109.9 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89 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 48 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.9 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunset Beach, 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 219.9 miles and 4h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 74 for about 89 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.9 mi from Winston-Salem, NC · 2h 10m into the drive

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockingham, NC

110 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

Archdale, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockingham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.9 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 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89 miles.

Arriving in Sunset Beach, NC

The final approach into Sunset Beach, 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 Sunset Beach, 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

$34.39 one way

$68.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $37.60 $75.20
premium $4.70 $40.70 $81.40
diesel $5.61 $48.55 $97.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66 0 $23.09 $10.56
Efficient EV 55 0 $19.24 $8.80
EV Truck/SUV 88 1 $30.79 $14.07

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Morning in Winston-Salem on Saturday

Local time

9:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 2 to 7 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 13 at 8:41PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 8:14PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Destination

Sunset Beach, NC

Morning in Sunset Beach on Saturday

Local time

9:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Rockingham, NC

110 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

4 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

4h 39m 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 Sunset Beach, NC covers 219.9 miles and takes about 4h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 74, American Indian Highway, Andrew Jackson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 109.9 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 $34.39 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 18 significant decision points across 219.9 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 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Winston-Salem, NC to Sunset Beach, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Sunset Beach, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

223.6 mi 4h 41m

Continue From Sunset Beach, NC

Durham, NC 203 mi · 3h 56m Concord, NC 186.8 mi · 4h 14m Cary, NC 186.2 mi · 3h 37m West Raleigh, NC 179.9 mi · 3h 31m

More from Winston-Salem, NC

Masonboro, NC 230.8 mi · 4h 30m Belville, NC 225.3 mi · 4h 26m Brices Creek, NC 219.8 mi · 4h 28m Brevard, NC 170.7 mi · 3h 29m Biltmore Forest, NC 144.3 mi · 2h 48m Boiling Springs, NC 116.7 mi · 2h 28m

More trips to Sunset Beach, NC

Durham, NC 202.6 mi Charlotte, NC 188.1 mi
Scenic drives in NC

Explore more options from Winston-Salem, NC or browse trips ending in Sunset Beach, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.