Origin
City of Greenville, NC
Late night in City of Greenville on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Greenville, 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
3h 34m
Distance
180.9 mi
291 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Greenville, NC
Alex Borelli
Trip Overview
Greenville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 180.9 miles and takes about 3h 34m via I-85 and John P. East Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a relatively efficient journey designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss. It's a common stretch for those traveling within the state, offering a practical connection that doesn't demand an overnight stay. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path with a predictable travel time.
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
90.5 miles from City of Greenville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 42.3 mi | 48m |
| John P East Memorial Highway | 32.8 mi | 35m |
| I 587 | 29.8 mi | 31m |
| I 40 | 20.3 mi | 24m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| Salem Parkway | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| South Miami Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Buffaloe Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Greenville, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on South Evans Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Evans Street
2
Turn left onto West 10th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10th Street
3
Continue on Farmville Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Farmville Boulevard
4
Continue on Stantonsburg Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Stantonsburg Road
5
Continue on I 587
33 mi
·
35 min
·
John P East Memorial Highway
6
Merge onto I 587; I 795; US 264
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 587; I 795; US 264
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
8
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
9
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Rolesville Road
10
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Marks Creek Road
11
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Horton Road
12
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
14
Merge onto I 540
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
New Raleigh Highway
18
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi
·
48 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Salem Parkway
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 34m estimated drive time, leaving Greenville, NC in the morning is ideal, allowing you to reach Winston-Salem, NC well before evening. With only one suggested stop, plan for a brief break around the halfway point or when fuel is needed, as the longest stretch without a major road change is 42.3 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $28, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to signage for I-85 South as it's your primary artery for a significant portion of the trip, helping you maintain the most efficient path.
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 90.5 miles from City of Greenville, NC, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.5 miles or 1h 44m 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 54m
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 City of Greenville, 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 City of Greenville, NC
This is one driving day of about 180.9 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from City of Greenville, 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 85 for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.5 miles from City of Greenville, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 67.2 and 180.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
67.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
6
90.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 70 West: Durham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 70 West: Durham
6
104.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
I 85; US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
166.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m 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
180.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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
$28.29 one way
$56.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.93 | $61.86 |
| premium | $4.70 | $33.48 | $66.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
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: 63.3 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 | 54.3 | 0 | $18.99 | $8.68 |
| Efficient EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.83 | $7.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.33 | $11.58 |
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.
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
12:58 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
15 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 34m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 67% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-85 and I-587. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the trip, including a continuous stretch of 42.3 miles on I-85. The drive begins with sections on John P. East Memorial Highway before transitioning to the faster interstate speeds. While the profile is highway-focused, be aware that road conditions and traffic can vary, especially as you approach larger towns. The overall character is one of forward momentum on well-maintained roads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and John P East Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 180.9 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 67.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.3 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 34m. Total distance: 180.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on I 85. 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 67.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.3 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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