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Trip from Blowing Rock, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

92.4 mi

149 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 54m ★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in North Carolina, United States

Blowing Rock, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 93.1-mile drive from Blowing Rock, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, is a straightforward 1 hour and 41-minute journey. Designed as a single-day trip, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes local roads, offering a more connected feel to the landscape rather than a high-speed interstate experience. Its turn-heavy nature suggests a drive that keeps you engaged as you navigate from the mountains towards the Piedmont.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

46.2 miles from Blowing Rock, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 421 55.4 mi 1h 5m
US 221 20.5 mi 28m
Blue Ridge Parkway 11 mi 18m
Old US 421 2.9 mi 3m
Main Street 0.7 mi 2m
James E Holshouser Jr Highway 0.5 mi <1m
Valley Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
North Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 421 — 55.4 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blowing Rock, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.

1

Start on US 221; US 321 Business

0.7 mi · 2 min · Main Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto US 221; US 321

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Valley Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 221; US 321

0.5 mi · 47 sec · James E Holshouser Jr Highway
4

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 24 sec
5

At end of road, turn left onto Blue Ridge Parkway

11 mi · 18 min · Blue Ridge Parkway
6

Turn left onto Old 421 Connector

299 ft · 15 sec · Old 421 Connector
7

Turn right onto Old US 421

2.9 mi · 3 min · Old US 421
8

Turn right onto US 221; US 421

20 mi · 28 min · US 221; US 421
9

Continue on US 421; NC 16

55 mi · 1 hr 5 min · US 421; NC 16
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 233B Toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on High Street Southwest

459 ft · 15 sec · High Street Southwest
12

Turn left onto Cherry Street South

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Cherry Street South
13

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Given its short 1 hour and 41-minute duration, this 93.1-mile trip from Blowing Rock to Winston-Salem offers great flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, and with a fuel cost around $15, you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling stops. Since there are no long highway stretches, you'll likely encounter numerous opportunities for brief stops, so plan to take advantage of these to stretch your legs. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the road signs as you navigate the many turns, particularly on sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway or local roads, to ensure you stay on track towards Winston-Salem.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.2 miles from Blowing Rock, NC, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 20 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 46.2 miles or 1h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 42m

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 Blowing Rock, 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 Blowing Rock, NC

This is one driving day of about 92.4 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Blowing Rock, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 421 for about 55.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown West Jefferson, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Jefferson, NC

46 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.

Popular next leg

West Jefferson, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

85.6 mi · 1h 51m

Pacing Suggestions

West Jefferson, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Wilkesboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.2 miles from Blowing Rock, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.1

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Birdies Coffee & Treats | Blowing Rock

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 6.6

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18284575308

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.1

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Gamekeeper Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $100 or ab

Boone, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+18289637400

Visit website

Birdies Coffee & Treats | Blowing Rock

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 6.6

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18284575308

Visit website

High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 6.6

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+18283838823

Visit website

Tweetsie Railroad

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 6.6

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+18282649061

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 86.4

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Prospector Hill Gem Mining

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 6.6

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18282642792

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 93.1

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

River & Earth Adventures

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 6.6

Boone, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+18288657238

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 92.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 221; US 321 / Valley Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto US 221; US 321 / Valley Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
91.5 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Take the exit toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street

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 233B Toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
5
91.7 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | Cherry Street South

Turn left onto Cherry Street South

Navigation decision point

7
92 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | West 2nd Street

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
92.1 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.45 one way

$28.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.80 $31.60
premium $4.70 $17.10 $34.20
diesel $5.61 $20.40 $40.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.7 0 $9.70 $4.44
Efficient EV 23.1 0 $8.09 $3.70
EV Truck/SUV 37 0 $12.94 $5.91

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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

Blowing Rock, NC

Afternoon in Blowing Rock on Sunday

Local time

4:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Sunday

Local time

4:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

West Jefferson, NC

46 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 2m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway driving contributing to the total mileage. The entire 93.1 miles consist of local roads, including Valley Boulevard and James E Holshouser Jr Highway, with the Blue Ridge Parkway also featured. Since there are no interstate segments, the drive progresses at a more relaxed pace, allowing you to experience the transition between different terrains more intimately. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the overall profile indicates a journey with frequent turns and varying road conditions rather than long, straightaways.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.4 mi on US 421.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and US 221. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 221; US 321 / Valley Boulevard.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 2m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (US 221; US 321 / Valley Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles (Cherry Street South): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Winston-Salem, NC

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 92.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.4 miles on US 421. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (US 221; US 321 / Valley Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles (Cherry Street South): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Winston-Salem, NC before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.

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