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Trip from Lake Waccamaw, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 46m

Distance

196.7 mi

317 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 34m ★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lake Waccamaw, NC, NC

Lake Waccamaw, NC

Michael Ken

Trip Overview

This 196.9-mile journey from Lake Waccamaw, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's an economical option for a quick trip within North Carolina's Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be navigating a series of smaller highways rather than major interstates. This makes it a more engaging, albeit potentially slower, drive for those who prefer to stay off the main highways. Plan for about one stop along the way, keeping the drive manageable within a single day.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

98.4 miles from Lake Waccamaw, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 220 62.7 mi 1h 11m
Andrew Jackson Highway 47.9 mi 53m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
I 74 32.3 mi 37m
G R Kindley Freeway 10.5 mi 11m
John Gold Memorial Expressway 2.1 mi 2m
I 40 2 mi 2m
Sam Potts Highway 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 220 — 62.7 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Waccamaw, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.

1

Start on West Oak Street

36 ft · 5 sec · West Oak Street
2

Turn left onto Pecan Lane

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Pecan Lane
3

Turn left onto NC 214

1.3 mi · 2 min · Sam Potts Highway
4

Turn right onto Chauncey Town Road

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Chauncey Town Road
5

Keep slight right at fork onto Chauncey Town Road

293 ft · 5 sec · Chauncey Town Road
6

Enter roundabout onto Chauncey Town Road

134 ft · 2 sec · Chauncey Town Road
7

Continue on Chauncey Town Road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Chauncey Town Road
8

Keep slight right at fork onto Chauncey Town Road

96 ft · 1 sec · Chauncey Town Road
9

Enter roundabout

252 ft · 5 sec
10

Continue

0.4 mi · 56 sec
11

Merge onto US 74; US 76

28 mi · 30 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
12

Continue on US 74; NC 130

34 mi · 36 min · American Indian Highway
13

Continue on US 74

20 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74

11 mi · 11 min · G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 311 Toward US 1: Rockingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn right onto US 1

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 1
Use the right lane.
17

Turn straight onto US 220

4.4 mi · 6 min · US 220
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 220

0.4 mi · 36 sec · US 220
Use the left lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 220

58 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

31 mi · 35 min · I 74
Exit 80 Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
22

Merge onto I 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 40
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy Use the slight right lane.
24

Merge onto US 52; NC 8

2.1 mi · 2 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 109B Toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway Use the right lane.
26

Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Salem Parkway
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 233A Toward Main Street Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn slight right onto South Main Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
29

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration and 196.9-mile length, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Starting early can help you avoid any potential traffic, especially as you transition between the various local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $32 and only one recommended stop, you can easily manage this drive without needing to split it. A key tip for this route: pay close attention to your GPS or map, as the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making numerous turns, and staying on track will be crucial to reaching Winston-Salem efficiently.

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 98.4 miles from Lake Waccamaw, NC, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 43 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.4 miles or 1h 52m 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 4m

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 Lake Waccamaw, 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 Lake Waccamaw, NC

This is one driving day of about 196.7 miles and 3h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Lake Waccamaw, 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 220 for about 62.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, NC

98 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

Lumberton, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockingham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.4 miles from Lake Waccamaw, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 220 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.7

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.7

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 14.1

Whiteville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 70.3

Laurinburg, NC

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 70.3

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 70.3

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 70.3

Laurinburg, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 154.6

Asheboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 98.4

Rockingham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 14.1

Whiteville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.6

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 70.3

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19102772456

Visit website

Hamlet Depot & Museums

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 84.3

Hamlet, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19105820603

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 196.7

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 196.7

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 94.7 and 196.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
94.7 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 311 Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
100.9 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
158.8 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | I 74

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 80 Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
8
195.5 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in

Take the exit toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 109B Toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
7
196.1 mi into trip | ~3h 45m 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

$30.76 one way

$61.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $33.63 $67.27
premium $4.70 $36.40 $72.81
diesel $5.61 $43.43 $86.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59 0 $20.65 $9.44
Efficient EV 49.2 0 $17.21 $7.87
EV Truck/SUV 78.7 0 $27.54 $12.59

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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

Lake Waccamaw, NC

Afternoon in Lake Waccamaw on Sunday

Local time

3:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Sunday

Local time

3:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Troy, NC

98 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

6 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

3h 46m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

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...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a driving experience dominated by local roads, with a 0% highway share. This 'Turn-heavy local drive' means you'll be actively steering and navigating through a network of smaller routes like Pecan Lane, Sam Potts Highway, and Chauncey Town Road for the entire 196.9 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving on a single highway, so be prepared for frequent turns and changes in scenery as you move through different communities. The character of the road will likely shift as you progress, moving from one distinct local thoroughfare to another.

56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on US 220.

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 94.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 196.7 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 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.8 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Winston-Salem, NC

Full guide →

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.

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 3h 46m. Total distance: 196.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on US 220. 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 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.8 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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