Chadbourn to Winston-Salem is 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 26m via US 220, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route connects two points within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on highways, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll find the journey offers a good balance between efficiency and the ability to cover ground without excessive time commitment. Plan for a solid half-day of travel to reach your destination comfortably.
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
89.3 miles from Chadbourn, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
62.7 mi
1h 11m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
I 74
32.3 mi
37m
Andrew Jackson Highway
29.5 mi
33m
G R Kindley Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
John Gold Memorial Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
Joe Brown Highway North
2 mi
3m
I 40
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chadbourn, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on West Railroad Avenue
149 ft·13 sec·West Railroad Avenue
2
Turn left onto NC 410
0.8 mi·1 min·South Brown Street
3
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410
2.0 mi·3 min·Joe Brown Highway North
4
Take the ramp onto US 74 Business; NC 130
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 74 Business; NC 130
5
Merge onto US 74; NC 130
9.3 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
6
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
7
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
11 mi·11 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 311Toward US 1: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 1
1.1 mi·1 min·US 1
Use the right lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 220
4.4 mi·6 min·US 220
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi·36 sec·US 220
Use the left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
31 mi·35 min·I 74
Exit 80Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-SalemUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
16
Merge onto I 40
2.0 mi·2 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 52 North: Mount AiryUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
2.1 mi·2 min·John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 26m duration, departing in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the 178.7-mile trip. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing; consider a brief pause around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is a helpful budget marker. Keep an eye out for the transition onto American Indian Highway, as it's a key part of the initial leg of your journey. This is a drive that doesn't require complex planning, allowing for a relaxed departure.
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 89.3 miles from Chadbourn, NC, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 39 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m
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 Chadbourn, 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 Chadbourn, NC
This is one driving day of about 178.7 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Chadbourn, 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 US 220 for about 62.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 76.7 and 178 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
76.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
82.9 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 80
Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
8
177.4 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
178 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
$27.94 one way
$55.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.55
$61.11
premium
$4.70
$33.07
$66.15
diesel
$5.61
$39.45
$78.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.76
$8.58
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.64
$7.15
EV Truck/SUV
71.5
0
$25.02
$11.44
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Chadbourn, NC
Late night
in Chadbourn on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Troy, NC
89 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
3h 26m 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?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 62% of the journey on interstates and major roads. You'll experience stretches like a 62.7-mile segment on US 220, offering a good pace. The route utilizes key highways including US 220 and I-74, indicating a generally efficient and direct path. Expect a profile that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss, rather than winding scenic byways. It's a driving experience geared toward covering distance effectively.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on US 220.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 220 and American Indian Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 178.7 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 76.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.7 miles (I 74): 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 3h 26m. Total distance: 178.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on US 220. 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 76.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.7 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
