Newport to Winston-Salem is 244 miles and takes about 4h 51m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects the Southeast region of North Carolina to itself, primarily sticking to major roadways for most of the trip. With an 85% highway share, expect a fairly direct path with minimal detours. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, making it a convenient option if you're looking for efficiency. You can expect to spend most of your time on the interstate, so plan accordingly for consistent travel.
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
122 miles from Newport, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
102.4 mi
1h 59m
US 70
80.6 mi
1h 39m
Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi
21m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi
11m
Chatham Street
3 mi
5m
West New Bern Road
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 102.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,646 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~369 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on West Railroad Boulevard
76 ft·10 sec·West Railroad Boulevard
2
Turn sharp left onto Chatham Street
3.0 mi·5 min·Chatham Street
3
Merge onto US 70
57 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
8
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
12
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi·11 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
13
Merge onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 51m drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Newport will allow you to reach Winston-Salem with plenty of daylight to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, and with a total distance of 244 miles, it's easily manageable in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 40. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so factor that into your budget. You'll be covering a significant portion of I 40, so be aware of potential traffic patterns common to major interstates.
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 122 miles from Newport, NC, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.4 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 54 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 29m 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 58m
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 Newport, 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 Newport, NC
This is one driving day of about 244 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Newport, 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 I 40 for about 102.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 60.4 and 243.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
60.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
209.7 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
217.3 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
229.9 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
243.3 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
$36.02 one way
$72.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.59
$79.18
premium
$4.49
$43.15
$86.30
diesel
$4.80
$46.07
$92.14
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: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.62
$11.71
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.16
$15.62
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 15, 2026
Origin
Newport, NC
Late night
in Newport on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
13 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
4h 51m 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.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
National Seashore
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Passenger Ferry Dock Closed; Visitors Deboard via Beach Landing
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 85% of the route on interstates and major bypasses. You'll experience a longest stretch of 102.4 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for a significant amount of time on US 70 and the Goldsboro Bypass, which will offer a different driving experience than the interstate. The high percentage of highway travel means you'll encounter more frequent exits and interchanges.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.4 miles in near US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 244 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 60.4 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Newport is a small town just outside the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina, situated on the scenic Newport River. Because it's inland, away from the touristy coastal area, and doesn't have much in the way of attractions, Newport remains a mostly residential community. However, it's in the Croatan National Forest, so if you want a convenient base to reach both the beach and the woods, Newport might be the ideal spot.
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.
Top landmarks
•Old Salem — historic district and open-air museum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
•Reynolds Building — historic skyscraper in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
•Home Moravian Church — church building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 244 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 60.4 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles (I 40; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cape Lookout National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
