Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
69.5 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, NC
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick commute or a day trip between Denver and Winston-Salem, this 69.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek across North Carolina. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 28 minutes behind the wheel, making it an easy drive to complete in a single day. You will primarily utilize I-77, I-40, and East NC 150 Highway to navigate between these two Southeast locations. With fuel costs estimated at roughly $11, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Because the duration is well under two hours, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or complex itineraries. It is a practical, efficient route that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complications.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 34.4 mi | 37m |
| I 77 | 14.5 mi | 17m |
| East NC 150 Highway | 8.1 mi | 13m |
| Salem Parkway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Slanting Bridge Road | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Campground Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cherry Street South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto Campground Road
Continue on Slanting Bridge Road
Turn right onto NC 150
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 77
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Merge onto US 421
Take the exit
Continue on High Street Southwest
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Denver, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 69.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 77 North: Statesville
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$10.87 one way
$21.74 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.88 | $23.77 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.86 | $25.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.34 | $30.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
4:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Late night in Winston-Salem on Tuesday
Local time
4:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 89% of your time spent cruising on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of interstate driving and state highway travel as you transition between routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 34.4-mile segment on I-40, which allows for consistent speeds and steady progress. While the drive lacks the winding complexity of backroads, the reliance on I-77 and I-40 provides a reliable, high-speed connection between the two cities. You can expect a professional, utilitarian driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 13.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Denver, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
Founded 1766
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.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 69.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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