Half Moon to Winston-Salem is 216.9 miles and takes about 4h 19m via I 40 and NC 24, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes you through the Southeast region, staying within North Carolina. Expect a straightforward journey for the most part, with a high percentage of highway driving. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for around 83% of your time on major highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108.5 miles from Half Moon, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
106.4 mi
2h 3m
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Beulaville Highway
20.8 mi
29m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
Gum Branch Road
6.8 mi
10m
South Kenansville Bypass
5.8 mi
8m
Richlands Highway
2.2 mi
3m
East Franck Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 106.4 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Half Moon, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Ramsey Road
96 ft·5 sec·Ramsey Road
2
Turn right onto Gum Branch Road
6.8 mi·10 min·Gum Branch Road
3
Continue on East Franck Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Franck Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 258; NC 24
2.2 mi·3 min·Richlands Highway
5
Continue on US 258; NC 24
21 mi·29 min·Beulaville Highway
6
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
5.8 mi·8 min·South Kenansville Bypass
7
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·NC 24
Use the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 19m estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 216.9 miles. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about where you take a break, perhaps around the halfway point to break up the longest stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 106.4-mile mark on I 40, to ensure you don't need to make an unplanned stop.
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 108.5 miles from Half Moon, NC, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.4 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 48 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 12m 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 31m
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 Half Moon, 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 Half Moon, NC
This is one driving day of about 216.9 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Half Moon, 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 40 for about 106.4 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.7 and 216.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36.7 mi into trip|~53m in|NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
202.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
216.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
$33.92 one way
$67.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$37.09
$74.17
premium
$4.70
$40.14
$80.29
diesel
$5.61
$47.89
$95.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.77
$10.41
Efficient EV
54.2
0
$18.98
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.37
$13.88
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Half Moon, NC
Morning
in Half Moon on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 83% of the journey spent on major roads like I 40 and NC 24. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 106.4 miles on I 40, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While primarily highway, the inclusion of NC 24 and Beulaville Highway provides some variation. The overall character is one of efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower local roads.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.7 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 216.9 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 36.7 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 216.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.4 miles on I 40. 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 36.7 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
