Hertford, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 247.6 miles and takes about 4h 54m via US 13 and I-85, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region toward the Piedmont. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for efficiency. With just one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is ideal for a single-day transit.
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
123.8 miles from Hertford, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 13
72.2 mi
1h 22m
I 85
42.3 mi
48m
Ocean Highway South
32.6 mi
40m
US 64 Bypass
27.8 mi
29m
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
Longest stretch:
US 13
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hertford, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on West Grubb Street
180 ft·10 sec·West Grubb Street
2
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·North Church Street
3
Turn right onto US 17; NC 37
33 mi·40 min·Ocean Highway South
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 13; US 17 BYP
16 mi·21 min·US 13; US 17 BYP
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 13; US 64
6
Continue on US 64 Bypass
28 mi·29 min·US 64 Bypass
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
8
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft·7 sec
Exit 14Toward 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: DurhamUse 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 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse 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 4h 54m estimated drive time and 247.6 miles, leaving Hertford, NC in the morning should get you to Winston-Salem, NC with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $38, so ensure your tank is full before departing. With only one suggested stop and a mostly highway profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Pay attention to the transition from US 13 to I-85, as this is where the driving environment changes significantly.
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 123.8 miles from Hertford, NC, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Hertford, 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 Hertford, NC
This is one driving day of about 247.6 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Hertford, 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 US 13 for about 72.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.8 and 247 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
133.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
6
156.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
171 mi into trip|~3h 23m 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
233.6 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
247 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
$36.56 one way
$73.11 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$40.17
$80.34
premium
$4.49
$43.79
$87.58
diesel
$4.80
$46.75
$93.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$26.00
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.66
$15.85
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hertford, NC
Morning
in Hertford on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 54m 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?
You'll spend about 77% of this 247.6-mile drive on highways, totaling over 190 miles. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 72.2 miles on US 13. After this predominantly highway portion, expect a shift to surface roads as you approach your destination. The frequent exits on I-85 will keep you engaged, requiring attention as you navigate merging traffic and local access points.
77% 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: 72.2 mi on US 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 13 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 247.6 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 133.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 171 miles (I 85; US 70): 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 54m. Total distance: 247.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on US 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 171 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
