Traveling from Kings Grant to Winston-Salem covers 216 miles of North Carolina landscape, typically requiring about 3 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting roughly $34 for fuel should cover your trip comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional feel as you transition between the two. This route is best suited for those who don't mind a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul.
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
114.4 miles from Kings Grant, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Michael Jordan Highway
107.3 mi
1h 55m
I 40
106.4 mi
2h 3m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
North College Road
0.7 mi
<1m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Shelly Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Kings Grant Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Main Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Michael Jordan Highway
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kings Grant, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Shelly Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·Shelly Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Kings Grant Road
135 ft·11 sec·Kings Grant Road
3
Turn left onto Shelly Drive
0.2 mi·41 sec·Shelly Drive
4
Turn right onto US 117; NC 132
0.7 mi·59 sec·North College Road
5
Continue on I 40; US 117; NC 132
107 mi·1 hr 55 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
Since your travel time is just under three and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure. I recommend scheduling one stop to break up the local driving, which will help keep you fresh during the more technical portions of the route. Because you are relying on local roads rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation system to ensure you don't miss a turn on the transition between Kings Grant Road, Shelly Drive, and North College Road. Preparing your $34 fuel budget in advance ensures you won't need to hunt for gas stations during the trickier parts of your transit. Enjoy the freedom of a shorter day trip where you can set your own pace without the pressure of a long-haul schedule.
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 114.4 miles from Kings Grant, NC, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 50 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.4 miles or 2h 4m 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 28m
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 Kings Grant, 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 Kings Grant, NC
This is one driving day of about 228.8 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Kings Grant, 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 107.3 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 108.4 and 228.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
108.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
194.5 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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.
6
202.2 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
214.8 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
228.1 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
$35.78 one way
$71.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.12
$78.24
premium
$4.70
$42.35
$84.69
diesel
$5.61
$50.52
$101.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.6
0
$24.02
$10.98
Efficient EV
57.2
0
$20.02
$9.15
EV Truck/SUV
91.5
1
$32.03
$14.64
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Kings Grant, NC
Late night
in Kings Grant on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
12:28 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
19 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
4h 18m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 15.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard highway cruise, as this 216-mile route features a 0% highway share. You will be navigating a sequence of local roads, starting on Kings Grant Road and transitioning through Shelly Drive and North College Road. Because it is a turn-heavy local drive, there is no significant "longest stretch" of uninterrupted road; you will be making frequent adjustments throughout the journey. Be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you navigate these local connections. The lack of interstate miles means the pace remains steady but requires constant engagement with the road.
52% 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: 107.3 mi on Michael Jordan Highway.
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 108.4 miles in near I 40.
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 228.8 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 108.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 40; US 220): 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 228.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway. 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 108.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 40; US 220): 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 4.3 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.
