This 121.4-mile drive from Benson, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is a straightforward, single-day trip taking approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes. The journey covers a modest distance, making it easily manageable for a day trip with a projected fuel cost of around $19. You'll primarily navigate Isaac Brooks Highway and Salem Parkway, with a significant portion on local roads. Given its relatively short length and the single stop suggested, this route offers a convenient way to travel within North Carolina's Southeast region. It's a practical option for those looking for an efficient transition between these two points.
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
60.7 miles from Benson, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Isaac Brooks Highway
43.4 mi
52m
West Front Street
17.3 mi
24m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
Greensboro Urban Loop
11.5 mi
12m
Sanford Bypass
10.4 mi
11m
NC 27
8.9 mi
13m
US 421
7.3 mi
9m
East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
3.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Isaac Brooks Highway
— 43.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on US 301; NC 242
69 ft·4 sec·North Wall Street
2
Turn right onto West Lambert Drive
186 ft·10 sec·West Lambert Drive
3
Turn right onto North Ellis Drive
144 ft·7 sec·North Ellis Drive
4
Turn right onto NC 50; NC 242
158 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 242
73 ft·1 sec·West Main Street
6
Continue on NC 50; NC 242
0.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on NC 27
8.9 mi·13 min·NC 27
8
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Leslie Campbell Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
165 ft·6 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
10
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
191 ft·6 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
12
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
0.4 mi·50 sec·Leslie Campbell Avenue
13
Merge onto US 421; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
14
Turn left onto US 401; US 421; NC 27; NC 210
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
15
Turn right onto US 421 TRK
0.5 mi·1 min·South 10th Street
16
Turn right onto US 421
17 mi·24 min·West Front Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp onto US 421
0.4 mi·52 sec·US 421
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto US 421; NC 87 BYP
10 mi·11 min·Sanford Bypass
19
Continue on US 421
0.4 mi·28 sec·Boone Trail Road
20
Continue on US 421
43 mi·52 min·Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 197Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi·5 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421
6.7 mi·7 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Exit 121Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, MartinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
5.8 mi·6 min·US 421
Exit 103BToward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-SalemUse the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this trip from Benson to Winston-Salem offers plenty of flexibility. You could comfortably leave in the morning and arrive by lunchtime. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break about halfway through to stretch your legs. Given the "turn-heavy local drive" profile, pay close attention to your GPS, especially when transitioning between Isaac Brooks Highway and West Front Street. The estimated fuel cost of $19 suggests a budget-friendly excursion, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 60.7 miles from Benson, NC, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 27 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.7 miles or 1h 23m 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 10m
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 Benson, 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 Benson, NC
This is one driving day of about 121.4 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Benson, 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 Isaac Brooks Highway for about 43.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 89 and 107.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
89 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...
8
89.2 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
94.8 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 121
Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
101.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 103B
Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
8
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.98 one way
$37.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.76
$41.51
premium
$4.70
$22.47
$44.94
diesel
$5.61
$26.80
$53.61
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: 42.5 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
36.4
0
$12.75
$5.83
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.62
$4.86
EV Truck/SUV
48.6
0
$17.00
$7.77
Gas CO2
42 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 17, 2026
Origin
Benson, NC
Late night
in Benson on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SW 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 17 at 11:32AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 17 at 11:32AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
48°F
Sanford, NC
61 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the majority of this 121.4-mile route. While about 24% of the journey utilizes highways, the character leans towards more frequent turns and navigation through local areas. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.4 miles on Isaac Brooks Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel. As you progress, the road will likely shift between more open highway sections and the tighter, more involved navigation characteristic of local streets, requiring your attention to turns and traffic.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on Isaac Brooks Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89 miles in near US 421.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 121.4 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 89 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.8 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Benson, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 121.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on Isaac Brooks Highway. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 89 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.8 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Winston-Salem, NC before heading back.
