Holly Springs, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 99.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 6 minutes via US 64 and Salem Parkway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a relatively short drive that offers a mixed experience on the road. You'll generally find it to be a practical and straightforward journey, suitable for a single day of travel without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Holly Springs, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
32 mi
42m
Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi
30m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
Greensboro Urban Loop
11.5 mi
12m
US 421
6.9 mi
8m
Triangle Expressway
5.3 mi
5m
North Main Street
2 mi
3m
Old Smithfield Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 32 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holly Springs, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on North Main Street
2.0 mi·3 min·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on East Williams Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Williams Street
3
Turn left onto Old Smithfield Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·Old Smithfield Road
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto NC 55
0.3 mi·28 sec·NC 55
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll WestUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
5.3 mi·5 min·Triangle Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 64
32 mi·42 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
12
Merge onto US 421
26 mi·30 min·Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 197Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi·5 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421
6.7 mi·7 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Exit 121Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, MartinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
5.8 mi·6 min·US 421
Exit 103BToward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-SalemUse the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 6 minute duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving Holly Springs in the morning to maximize your daylight hours in Winston-Salem. With a fuel cost estimated around $16, planning your fuel stops should be straightforward. You won't need to worry about breaking this drive into multiple days, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you. Keep an eye on US 64 as it's the longest continuous stretch, ensuring you're comfortable with the conditions there.
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 49.8 miles from Holly Springs, NC, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 1h 6m 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 44m
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 Holly Springs, 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 Holly Springs, NC
This is one driving day of about 99.6 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Holly Springs, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 64 for about 32 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 9.1 and 79.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.1 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59B
Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
8
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...
8
67.4 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 121
Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 103B
Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.58 one way
$31.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.03
$34.06
premium
$4.70
$18.43
$36.87
diesel
$5.61
$21.99
$43.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.9
0
$10.46
$4.78
Efficient EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
EV Truck/SUV
39.8
0
$13.94
$6.37
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 15, 2026
Origin
Holly Springs, NC
Late night
in Holly Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
8 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
2h 6m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a mixed profile, with 58% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 64, Isaac Brooks Highway, and Salem Parkway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 32 miles along US 64. Expect a blend of quicker highway driving and potentially some more local road segments as you approach your destination. The character of the road shifts, offering a varied driving experience rather than a constant pace.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 9.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 99.6 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 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.4 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Holly Springs, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 99.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.4 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Winston-Salem, NC before heading back.
