Hampstead to Winston-Salem is 235.2 miles and takes about 4h 27m via I 40 and Michael Jordan Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The drive offers a mixed highway and surface road experience, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll encounter a good portion of highway driving, but also some local roads as you get closer to your destination.
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
117.6 miles from Hampstead, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
106.4 mi
2h 3m
Michael Jordan Highway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
US 17
5.6 mi
8m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Main Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 106.4 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,436 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,914
Quietest
2 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampstead, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on US 17; NC 210
5.6 mi·8 min·US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on NC 140
4.9 mi·5 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
5
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Michael Jordan Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 27m drive time, leaving Hampstead in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll have about 106.4 miles on I 40 as your longest stretch without a major exit, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, it's a budget-friendly trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but aim to avoid peak traffic times around larger towns. Keep an eye out for the highway transitions as you near Winston-Salem.
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 117.6 miles from Hampstead, NC, or about 2h 9m 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 9m 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 35m
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 Hampstead, 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 Hampstead, NC
This is one driving day of about 235.2 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Hampstead, 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.8 and 234.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.8 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
6
114.8 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
200.9 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
221.2 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
234.6 mi into trip|~4h 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
$34.72 one way
$69.45 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.16
$76.32
premium
$4.49
$41.60
$83.19
diesel
$4.80
$44.41
$88.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.6
0
$24.70
$11.29
Efficient EV
58.8
0
$20.58
$9.41
EV Truck/SUV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.05
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hampstead, NC
Morning
in Hampstead on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 to 15 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:49AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:49AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
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
2 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 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 55% highway driving, with the longest stretch at 106.4 miles on I 40. You'll be on I 40 for a significant portion before transitioning to Michael Jordan Highway and then Salem Parkway. Expect a mix of cruising and areas with more frequent exits as you move across the state. The transition from high-speed highway to more local surface roads will be noticeable as you approach Winston-Salem.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
12 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.8 miles in.
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 10 significant decision points across 235.2 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 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.9 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 27m. Total distance: 235.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
