Atlantic Beach, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 255 miles and takes about 5 hours and 7 minutes via I 40 and US 70, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels entirely within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region inland. It's a straightforward trip that primarily utilizes major highways, making it a practical choice for a single day of travel. Expect a mix of driving conditions as you transition from coastal access roads to interstate cruising.
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
127.6 miles from Atlantic Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
102.4 mi
1h 59m
Arendell Street
68.8 mi
1h 25m
US 70
23.2 mi
29m
Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi
21m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi
11m
West New Bern Road
3.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 102.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,646 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~369 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic Beach, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on West Terminal Boulevard
27 ft·3 sec·West Terminal Boulevard
2
Turn right onto South Kinston Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Kinston Avenue
3
Turn right onto NC 58
0.1 mi·18 sec·West Fort Macon Road
4
Turn left onto Atlantic Beach Causeway
0.7 mi·1 min·Atlantic Beach Causeway
5
Continue on Atlantic Beach Bridge
0.7 mi·1 min·Atlantic Beach Bridge
6
Continue on South 23rd Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·South 23rd Street
7
Turn left onto US 70
69 mi·1 hr 25 min·Arendell Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.1 mi·1 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
13
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
17
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi·11 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
18
Merge onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Atlantic Beach will allow you to reach Winston-Salem with plenty of daylight remaining. The single recommended stop suggests you can comfortably manage the 255 miles without needing to break it into multiple days. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of I 40, as services can be more spread out on interstate segments. Planning for around $40 in fuel costs should cover your trip. The route's mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll encounter different driving environments, so be prepared for potential shifts in traffic patterns as you get closer to Winston-Salem.
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 127.6 miles from Atlantic Beach, NC, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.4 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.6 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winston-Salem, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Atlantic Beach, 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 Atlantic Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 255.2 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Atlantic Beach, 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 102.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 71.7 and 254.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
220.9 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
228.6 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|US 421 / Salem Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
7
254.6 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.68 one way
$75.35 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$41.40
$82.81
premium
$4.49
$45.13
$90.26
diesel
$4.80
$48.19
$96.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.73
$16.33
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Atlantic Beach, NC
Morning
in Atlantic Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
7 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
5h 7m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
National Seashore
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Passenger Ferry Dock Closed; Visitors Deboard via Beach Landing
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 58% of this 255-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on I 40 covers 102.4 miles, offering a good opportunity for steady progress. After this main highway segment, expect the profile to shift to more surface roads, likely indicated by increased exit density or more varied speed limits. The transition from limited-access highway to more local roads is a key characteristic of this drive.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 71.7 miles in near US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 255.2 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 71.7 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Atlantic Beach is a small town of 1,500 people (as of 2016) in the Crystal Coast region North Carolina. A popular seaside vacation town since the 1920s, Atlantic Beach is on Bogue Banks, part of the southern Outer Banks chain of barrier islands, between Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The nearby communities of Pine Knoll Shores and Salter Path are often considered to be part of Atlantic Beach.
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.
Top landmarks
•Old Salem — historic district and open-air museum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
•Reynolds Building — historic skyscraper in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
•Home Moravian Church — church building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 255.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Winston-Salem, 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.7 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cape Lookout National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Winston-Salem, NC before the return drive.
