Traveling from Brogden to Winston-Salem covers 163 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 17 minutes. Because this journey is well within a single day’s reach, it is perfectly suited for a one-day itinerary. You will primarily utilize I-40, US-70, and the Salem Parkway to navigate across the state. Budgeting roughly $26 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast region of North Carolina, the trip maintains a consistent regional feel. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a straightforward transition between the two areas.
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
81.5 miles from Brogden, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
102.4 mi
1h 59m
US 70
18.5 mi
25m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi
11m
US 13
4.2 mi
4m
Old Mount Olive Highway
3.6 mi
5m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 102.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brogden, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Royall Drive
79 ft·5 sec·Royall Drive
2
Turn right onto Old Mount Olive Highway
3.6 mi·5 min·Old Mount Olive Highway
3
Turn right onto US 13; US 117 Connector
4.2 mi·4 min·US 13; US 117 Connector
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
366 ft·11 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 70
1.0 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on US 70
5.1 mi·7 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
11
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi·11 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
12
Merge onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is straightforward, but keeping a few logistics in mind will improve your experience. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to stretch your legs before tackling the longest 102.4-mile stretch of the route. Aim to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the major interstates, as the reliance on I-40 means congestion can impact your travel time. Keep your $26 fuel budget in mind and consider topping off your tank before you hit the main highway segments to avoid higher prices at busy rest stops. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule.
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 81.5 miles from Brogden, NC, or about 1h 40m 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 36 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.5 miles or 1h 40m 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 41m
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 Brogden, 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 Brogden, NC
This is one driving day of about 163 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Brogden, 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 8 and 162.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
128.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
149 mi into trip|~3h 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
162.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$25.49 one way
$50.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.87
$55.74
premium
$4.70
$30.17
$60.34
diesel
$5.61
$35.99
$71.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.82
Efficient EV
40.8
0
$14.26
$6.52
EV Truck/SUV
65.2
0
$22.82
$10.43
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Brogden, NC
Late night
in Brogden on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
3h 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient journey, as approximately 91% of your travel time will be spent on highways. The road's personality is defined by its focus on speed and connectivity, with a substantial 102.4-mile stretch on I-40 serving as the core of your trip. While the route begins with local road segments, it quickly transitions into a sustained interstate experience. You won't find many technical turns or winding backroads here; instead, anticipate a steady, predictable pace behind the wheel. The transition onto the Salem Parkway marks the final phase of your drive, shifting the environment as you approach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in.
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 163 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 8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 163 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
