Road Trips from Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is a solid base for exploring North Carolina's varied landscapes. You've got options for quick, easy drives under two hours, many on mostly highway routes with flat terrain, perfect for a spontaneous day trip. There are also longer hauls, pushing four to five hours, that get you to the coast and include significant historical sites. If you're looking for a mix of accessibility and natural or historical points of interest, Winston-Salem can get you there.
Total Routes
37
Shortest
0.4h
With Parks Nearby
23
Under 2 hours
19 total in this range
Wingate, NC
1h 53m96.1 mi one way
Grapewood, NC
21m15.1 mi one way
At just over 15 miles and under 30 minutes, this is your closest option. It's a mostly highway route with flat terrain, ideal for a very short excursion when time is limited. It's significantly closer than any other pick.
Carthage, NC
1h 45m82.2 mi one way
This is a straightforward, mostly highway drive that takes under two hours. The terrain is flat, and it's a good option if you want a simple out-and-back without too much driving time. It offers a direct route without complex navigation.
Davidson, NC
1h 20m64.1 mi one way
Orange County, NC
1h 22m68.2 mi one way
Full-day getaway
8 total in this range
Bladenboro, NC
3h 26m170.1 mi one way
This is a substantial drive of 170 miles, taking 3.4 hours. It’s a mostly highway route across flat terrain. Consider this if you want a longer journey that prioritizes highway travel.
Clyde, NC
3h 17m165.3 mi one way
Cordova, NC
2h104.2 mi one way
Maxton, NC
2h 35m130.6 mi one way
A 130-mile drive taking about 2.6 hours, this trip is mostly highway with flat terrain. It’s a mid-range option in terms of distance and time, offering a direct route without extensive surface roads.
Whiteville, NC
3h 30m181.1 mi one way
This longer drive of 3.5 hours gets you further into the state, covering 181 miles. It features a mix of highway and surface roads, with flat terrain. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a longer day trip that covers more ground.
Weekend trip
10 total in this range
Belville, NC
4h 26m225.3 mi one way
This is one of your longest options at 225 miles, requiring 4.4 hours. The drive mixes highway and surface roads with flat terrain and includes access to Moores Creek National Battlefield. This is a good pick for history buffs.
Oak Island, NC
4h 42m236 mi one way
Masonboro, NC
4h 30m230.8 mi one way
At 230 miles and 4.5 hours, this is another coastal-bound option. It's mostly highway with flat terrain and offers access to Moores Creek National Battlefield. It's comparable in distance to other coastal destinations but slightly shorter than Surf City.
Wanchese, NC
5h 54m295.1 mi one way
This is your furthest destination, at 295 miles and nearly six hours. It’s a mostly highway drive with flat terrain and provides access to significant sites like Wright Brothers National Memorial and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, making it ideal for a longer, historically focused trip.
Seagate, NC
4h 25m229 mi one way
Covering 229 miles and taking 4.4 hours, this route is mostly highway with flat terrain. It also provides access to Moores Creek National Battlefield. It’s a longer trip similar to Belville and Masonboro.
Browse by Mood
Belville, NC
4h 26m225.3 mi one way
Oak Island, NC
4h 42m236 mi one way
Wingate, NC
1h 53m96.1 mi one way
Bladenboro, NC
3h 26m170.1 mi one way
Oak Island, NC
4h 42m236 mi one way
Surf City, NC
4h 44m231 mi one way
Davidson, NC
1h 20m64.1 mi one way
Orange County, NC
1h 22m68.2 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
The flat terrain and available parks make spring an ideal time for drives under three hours. Consider routes with parks for blooming scenery.
Summer
Longer highway drives to the coast are feasible in summer, with options like Wanchese offering access to national seashore attractions.
Fall
The primarily flat terrain across these routes is consistent year-round, making fall drives pleasant without significant elevation changes.
Winter
With mostly flat terrain and highway-focused routes, winter travel is generally straightforward, though coastal destinations might experience different weather.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Winston-Salem, NC city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.