Origin
Mount Olive, NC
Morning in Mount Olive on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Olive, 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 27m
Distance
161.2 mi
259 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Olive, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 161.2 miles, the journey from Mount Olive to Winston-Salem typically takes about 3 hours and 27 minutes. This trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to cross from the southeastern part of the state toward the Piedmont region. Navigating a mix of local roads and major thoroughfares, you will primarily utilize the Isaac Brooks Highway, NC 87, and North Bragg Boulevard. It is a straightforward route that balances efficiency with the practical realities of North Carolina road travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the distance is manageable for any driver.
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
80.6 miles from Mount Olive, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Brooks Highway | 43.4 mi | 52m |
| NC 87 | 40.9 mi | 54m |
| North Bragg Boulevard | 20.9 mi | 29m |
| Salem Parkway | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| Sanford Bypass | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Greensboro Urban Loop | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| Murchison Road | 8.6 mi | 13m |
| US 421 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Isaac Brooks Highway
— 43.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Olive, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Mount Olive Road
317 ft
·
16 sec
·
Mount Olive Road
2
Turn right onto Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto NC 87
454 ft
·
5 sec
·
NC 87
4
Take the exit
475 ft
·
20 sec
5
Turn sharp left onto NC 87
41 mi
·
54 min
·
NC 87
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit onto NC 87
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
NC 87
Toward NC 24, NC 87: Bragg Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto NC 24
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bragg Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto NC 210
8.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Murchison Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on NC 24; NC 87; NC 210
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Bragg Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87
21 mi
·
29 min
·
North Bragg Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 87 BYP
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Sanford Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 421
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Boone Trail Road
13
Continue on US 421
43 mi
·
52 min
·
Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Exit 121
Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 421
Exit 103B
Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Use the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Salem Parkway
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 233A
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 161.2-mile trip is simple since it only requires one planned stop to keep you refreshed. If you prefer avoiding peak congestion, aim to depart early in the morning, which helps you maintain your 3-hour and 27-minute estimated travel time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when nearing the end of your 43.4-mile stretch on the Isaac Brooks Highway to ensure you are ready for the final leg of the journey. Because this route is well-suited for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or personal preference. Remember that since this is a mixed-drive route, your speed will fluctuate significantly, so build in a little extra time for the transition between major roads and local streets.
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 80.6 miles from Mount Olive, NC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 35 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.6 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
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 Mount Olive, 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 Mount Olive, NC
This is one driving day of about 161.2 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Mount Olive, 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 Isaac Brooks Highway for about 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80.6 miles from Mount Olive, 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 128.8 and 147.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
128.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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
129 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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
134.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
141.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m 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
8
147.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.21 one way
$50.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.56 | $55.13 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.83 | $59.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.59 | $71.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.93 | $7.74 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.10 | $6.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.57 | $10.32 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
10:56 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
3h 27m 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
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...
29 mi from route
~71 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 mixed driving experience that transitions through various road types as you head inland. With only 38% of your time spent on highways, the route avoids the monotony of a constant interstate grind, offering a more varied pace behind the wheel. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 43.4 miles along the Isaac Brooks Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the route shifts into local segments. Because the drive is not dominated by high-speed corridors, you will find the character of the road changes frequently as you navigate through different community environments. Prepare for a dynamic drive that requires your attention as you move from the Southeast region toward your final destination in Winston-Salem.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on Isaac Brooks Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 128.8 miles in near US 421.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 161.2 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 128.8 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.7 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
953 ft
83 ft
Total Climb
911 ft
Total Descent
111 ft
Highest Point
953 ft
~149.7 mi in
Elevation Range
870 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Olive, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
Durham
128.8 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via US 421
Charlotte
128.8 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via US 421
Martinsville
134.7 mi in
|
~2h 56m
|
via I 73; US 421
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 27m. Total distance: 161.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on Isaac Brooks 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 128.8 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.7 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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