Origin
Middlesex, NC
Morning in Middlesex on Tuesday
Local time
8:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middlesex, NC to Salem, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
35.3 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middlesex, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Salem, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Middlesex, NC to Salem, NC is 35.3 miles and takes about 46 minutes via US 64, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The drive is a mixed bag, offering a blend of highway speeds and more local road navigation. Given its brief duration, it's ideal for a quick hop, making it a convenient option if you're looking to cover a short distance without a significant time commitment. Consider this route for a straightforward journey between these two points.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 13.7 mi | 14m |
| Red Oak Road | 11.3 mi | 16m |
| North Nash Street | 9.7 mi | 13m |
| US 64 Business | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Swift Creek School Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 13.7 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middlesex, NC and Salem, NC.
1
Start on NC 231
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
North Nash Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
3
Merge onto US 64
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US 64
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 64 Business
5
Turn left onto US 64 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 64 Business
6
Continue on Red Oak Road
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Red Oak Road
7
Turn sharp left onto SR 1500
66 ft
·
1 sec
·
Swift Creek School Road
8
Arrive at destination
SR 1500
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Middlesex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 35.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
9.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
9.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 64
Merge onto US 64
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
23.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward US 64 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 64 Business
3
23.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 64 Business
Turn left onto US 64 Business
Navigation decision point
5
35.3 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
SR 1500 / Swift Creek School Road
Turn sharp left onto SR 1500 / Swift Creek School Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.52 one way
$11.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.04 | $12.07 |
| premium | $4.70 | $6.53 | $13.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.79 | $15.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Salem, NC
Morning in Salem on Tuesday
Local time
8:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Nashville, NC
18 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 39% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 64, Red Oak Road, and North Nash Street, indicating a blend of faster travel and more community-focused roads. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 13.7 miles on US 64, providing a taste of consistent cruising before transitioning. Expect the character of the road to shift as you progress, moving from potentially quicker highway sections to more winding or built-up areas as you approach your destination. It’s not a monotonous interstate cruise, but rather a varied path.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.7 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Middlesex, NC to Salem, NC is easy. At 46m with 39% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles (US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 35.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.7 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 9.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles (US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
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