Origin
Grifton, NC
Morning in Grifton on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grifton, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
194.1 mi
312 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grifton, NC
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
This 194.1-mile drive from Grifton, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 50 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-85 and John P. East Memorial Highway, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within North Carolina. You'll spend about 65% of your time on highways, so expect a mostly fast-paced travel experience. This route is ideal for those looking to reach their destination without significant detours.
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
97.1 miles from Grifton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m 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 |
| Greenville Southwest Bypass | 11.1 mi | 11m |
| South Miami Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grifton, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on South Gordon Street
426 ft
·
23 sec
·
South Gordon Street
2
Turn left onto NC 118
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Queen Street
3
Turn right onto North Highland Avenue
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
North Highland Avenue
4
Turn left onto W W Gaskins Road
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
W W Gaskins Road
5
Turn right onto NC 11
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 11
6
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 11 BYP
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Greenville Southwest Bypass
Toward NC 11 Bypass North: Greenville, Washington
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 587 West: Wilson
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 587
33 mi
·
35 min
·
John P East Memorial Highway
9
Merge onto I 587; I 795; US 264
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 587; I 795; US 264
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
11
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
12
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Rolesville Road
13
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Marks Creek Road
14
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Horton Road
15
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
17
Merge onto I 540
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
New Raleigh Highway
21
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi
·
48 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
25
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.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 50-minute drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Winston-Salem with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance of 194.1 miles, flexibility is key. You can easily break up the journey with a brief stop for fuel or a quick stretch whenever needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is 42.3 miles on I-85. Planning your departure time to avoid peak traffic, especially around larger towns, can make the drive even smoother and help keep you within the estimated $30 fuel cost.
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 97.1 miles from Grifton, NC, or about 1h 53m 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 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
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 Grifton, 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 Grifton, NC
This is one driving day of about 194.1 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Grifton, 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
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.1 miles from Grifton, 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 193.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
NC 11 BYP / Greenville Southwest Bypass
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 11 BYP / Greenville Southwest Bypass toward NC 11 Bypass North: Greenville, Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NC 11 Bypass North: Greenville, Washingt...
6
17.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 587 West: Wilson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 587 West: Wilson
7
80.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
8
180.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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
193.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m 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
$30.35 one way
$60.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.19 | $66.38 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.92 | $71.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.85 | $85.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.38 | $9.32 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.98 | $7.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.17 | $12.42 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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
Morning in Winston-Salem on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
23 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 50m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 65% of the route on faster roads. You'll navigate segments of I-85 and I-587, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 42.3 miles on I-85, providing a good opportunity to settle in. While predominantly interstate, the inclusion of John P. East Memorial Highway adds a touch of local road feel, though the overall character remains efficient and direct. The road generally maintains a steady progression, designed for covering distance effectively.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
10/10
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 6.3 miles in near NC 11 BYP / Greenville Southwest Bypass.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 194.1 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 6.3 miles (NC 11 BYP / Greenville Southwest Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Arriving in Winston-Salem, NC
Full guide →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
- • Old Salem — historic district and open-air museum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
- • Reynolds Building — historic skyscraper in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
- • Home Moravian Church — church building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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 50m. Total distance: 194.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m 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 6.3 miles (NC 11 BYP / Greenville Southwest Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Winston-Salem, NC
More trips to Winston-Salem, NC
Explore more options from Grifton, NC or browse trips ending in Winston-Salem, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.