Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from High Point, NC to Salem, NC

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 11m

Distance

108.3 mi

174 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 2m ★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Salem, NC, NC

Salem, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 108.3-mile drive from High Point, NC, to Salem, NC, is designed for efficiency, taking about 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-40 and I-74, with a final stretch on South Main Street, this is a highway-focused journey through the Southeast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, it's an affordable option for a single day trip, meaning you won't need to break it up with an overnight stay. The route's straightforward nature makes it a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

54.2 miles from High Point, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 91.1 mi 1h 43m
I 74 9.6 mi 11m
South Main Street 3.9 mi 8m
Pete Brittain Road 1.6 mi 2m
Enola Road 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 91.1 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Salem, NC.

1

Start on South Main Street

3.9 mi · 8 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Continue on this road

0.9 mi · 1 min · this road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3

Merge onto I 74

8.6 mi · 9 min · I 74
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
5

Merge onto I 40

91 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 104 Toward Enola Road
7

Turn left onto Enola Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Enola Road
8

Turn sharp right onto Pete Brittain Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Pete Brittain Road
9

Arrive at destination

Pete Brittain Road

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour drive time, starting your journey in High Point, NC, after morning rush hour should position you well for arrival in Salem, NC. With only 108.3 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $17, this trip is easily manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Because the majority of the drive is on I-40, plan to use one of the designated rest areas along this stretch for any necessary breaks. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-74 to South Main Street as you near Salem to ensure you don't miss your final turn.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.2 miles from High Point, NC, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 24 miles or 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 54.2 miles or 1h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving High Point, 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 High Point, NC

This is one driving day of about 108.3 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from High Point, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 91.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Davie County, North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mocksville, NC

54 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

Clemmons, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Statesville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.2 miles from High Point, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Taproot Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Hickory, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18064078348

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Alex Cooper Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Statesville, North Carolina

+17048783429

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 106.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 74

Merge onto I 74

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
13.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 74

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
5
14.5 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
105.6 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Take the exit toward Enola Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 104 Toward Enola Road
5
106.7 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | Pete Brittain Road

Turn sharp right onto Pete Brittain Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.94 one way

$33.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.52 $37.04
premium $4.70 $20.04 $40.09
diesel $5.61 $23.91 $47.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.5 0 $11.37 $5.20
Efficient EV 27.1 0 $9.48 $4.33
EV Truck/SUV 43.3 0 $15.16 $6.93

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

High Point, NC

Late night in High Point on Tuesday

Local time

5:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salem, NC

Late night in Salem on Tuesday

Local time

5:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

56°F

Mocksville, NC

54 mi in

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

2h 11m 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 drive that is 93% highway, offering a consistent pace for most of your 108.3 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 91.1 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the final portion on South Main Street will introduce a change of pace as you transition off the main highways into your destination. This route prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery, making it a predictable and efficient travel experience.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 74. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near I 74.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from High Point, NC to Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.

Statesville

13.5 mi in | ~20m | via I 74

About the Cities

Starting in High Point, NC

Full guide →

High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.

Top landmarks

  • • Highland Cotton Mills Village Historic District — historic district in High Point, North Carolina
  • • Pickett Cotton Mills — historic industrial property at 1200 Redding Drive in southwestern High Point, N...

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 2h 11m. Total distance: 108.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Salem, NC before heading back.

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

Explore More

Continue From Salem, NC

Greensboro, NC 119.8 mi · 2h 20m Winston-Salem, NC 91.7 mi · 1h 47m Charlotte, NC 75.3 mi · 1h 34m

More from High Point, NC

Kill Devil Hills, NC 292.9 mi · 5h 53m Wanchese, NC 282.9 mi · 5h 38m Edenton, NC 228.9 mi · 4h 27m Southport, NC 219.3 mi · 4h 26m Hampstead, NC 216 mi · 4h 10m Boiling Spring Lakes, NC 214.8 mi · 4h 17m
Escape planner: High Point, NC Scenic drives in NC

Explore more options from High Point, NC or browse trips ending in Salem, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.