This 94.9-mile drive from Burnsville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under two hours. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, it's an economical choice for a day trip. The route is primarily highway, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. Since it's such a manageable distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Both your origin and destination are located in the Southeast region of the US, so you'll stay within familiar territory for this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.5 miles from Burnsville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 601
38.9 mi
44m
I 285
25.6 mi
29m
NC 742
11.6 mi
16m
NC 24
8.7 mi
13m
I 85
3.8 mi
4m
Concord Parkway North
3.4 mi
4m
NC 205
1.7 mi
3m
Salem Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 601
— 38.9 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burnsville, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on NC 742
12 mi·16 min·NC 742
2
Continue on NC 205
1.7 mi·3 min·NC 205
3
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 24; NC 27
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 601
14 mi·15 min·US 601
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 601; NC 73 Truck
0.1 mi·19 sec·US 601; NC 73 Truck
6
Merge onto US 29; US 601; NC 73 Truck
3.4 mi·4 min·Concord Parkway North
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 601
25 mi·28 min·US 601
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
3.8 mi·4 min·I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.1 mi·4 min·I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52
22 mi·24 min·I 285; US 52
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 58-minute duration, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave Burnsville at your leisure, perhaps after a relaxed morning. While there are no recommended stops, consider taking a brief break during the 38.9-mile stretch on US 601 if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the $15 estimate suggests it won't be a major concern. Since you're covering less than 100 miles, you'll arrive in Winston-Salem with plenty of daylight left for your plans.
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 47.5 miles from Burnsville, NC, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.9 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 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 37m
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 Burnsville, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Burnsville, NC
This is one driving day of about 94.9 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Burnsville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 601 for about 38.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 39 and 94.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
39 mi into trip|~53m in|US 601
Take the exit onto US 601 toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
8
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Win...
8
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 285; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
8
93.7 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 109B
Toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
7
94.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
$14.84 one way
$29.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.23
$32.45
premium
$4.70
$17.56
$35.13
diesel
$5.61
$20.95
$41.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
18 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Concord, NC Rechargery Relay - Branchview Dr NE
Concord, NC
IONNA
16 DCFC
Parkway Plaza Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Lexington, NC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Salisbury, NC - Tesla Supercharger
Salisbury, NC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Hanes Towne Village Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.56
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.80
EV Truck/SUV
38
0
$13.29
$6.07
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Burnsville, NC
Morning
in Burnsville on Sunday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Concord, NC
47 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
8 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
1h 58m 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 highway-focused drive for 99% of this trip. You'll primarily be on US 601 and I-285, with a brief section of NC 742. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.9 miles on US 601. This means you'll experience mostly consistent speeds and limited interactions with local traffic for significant portions of the journey. The profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency rather than winding, scenic byways.
99% 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: 38.9 mi on US 601.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 601 and I 285. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39 miles in near US 601.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 39 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.1 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.1 miles (I 285; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 58m. Total distance: 94.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.9 miles on US 601. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 39 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.1 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.1 miles (I 285; US 52): 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.
