Traveling from Locust to Winston-Salem covers a straightforward 77.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes US 601, I-285, and West Main Street to navigate across the Southeast region of North Carolina. Expect to budget approximately $12 for fuel, making this an affordable transit between the two locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the efficiency of this highway-focused path ensures you spend minimal time behind the wheel. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you to your destination with ease.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from Locust, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 601
38.9 mi
44m
I 285
25.6 mi
29m
West Main Street
4.4 mi
7m
I 85
3.8 mi
4m
Concord Parkway North
3.4 mi
4m
Salem Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Locust Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 601
— 38.9 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Locust, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on this road
413 ft·30 sec·this road
2
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto Locust Avenue
209 ft·15 sec·Locust Avenue
4
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27
4.4 mi·7 min·West Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto US 601
14 mi·15 min·US 601
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 601; NC 73 Truck
0.1 mi·19 sec·US 601; NC 73 Truck
7
Merge onto US 29; US 601; NC 73 Truck
3.4 mi·4 min·Concord Parkway North
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 601
25 mi·28 min·US 601
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
3.8 mi·4 min·I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.1 mi·4 min·I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52
22 mi·24 min·I 285; US 52
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the 1 hour and 33-minute duration does not mandate long breaks, keep in mind that you are navigating a route with zero planned stops, so ensure your tank is ready before you hit the road. Given the $12 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your vehicle's range before leaving Locust to avoid unnecessary refueling detours. Prioritize steady driving on the 38.9-mile stretch of US 601, as this will be the most monotonous portion of your transit. Taking advantage of the route's high highway percentage will help you reach Winston-Salem in the fastest time possible.
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 38.7 miles from Locust, NC, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.9 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 48m 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 18m
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 Locust, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Locust, NC
This is one driving day of about 77.4 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Locust, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 601 for about 38.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.5 and 76.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
21.5 mi into trip|~28m in|US 601
Take the exit onto US 601 toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North, US 601 North: Greensboro
8
50.6 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Win...
8
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 285; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
8
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
$12.10 one way
$24.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.23
$26.47
premium
$4.70
$14.33
$28.65
diesel
$5.61
$17.09
$34.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.2
0
$8.13
$3.72
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.77
$3.10
EV Truck/SUV
31
0
$10.84
$4.95
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Locust, NC
Morning
in Locust on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
10:18 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
7 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
1h 33m 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 trip is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed infrastructure, with 93% of the journey taking place on highways. You will experience a consistent flow, anchored by a significant 38.9-mile stretch along US 601. The character of the drive is decidedly highway-focused, prioritizing speed and directness over winding backroads. As you move from the initial local segments onto the major interstates, the pace remains steady and predictable. Behind the wheel, you can expect a functional, efficient experience that allows you to maintain a reliable speed for the duration of the 77.4-mile trek.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.9 mi on US 601.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 601 and I 285. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.5 miles in near US 601.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles (I 285; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 33m. Total distance: 77.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.9 miles on US 601. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles (US 601): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles (I 285; US 52): 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.
