Piney Green, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 229.7 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 40 and NC 24, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the same region. Most of the drive is on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's manageable for a single day of travel. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get across the state.
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
114.9 miles from Piney Green, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
106.4 mi
2h 3m
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi
21m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
Richlands Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
Lejeune Boulevard
6.2 mi
9m
NC 50
5.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 106.4 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,187 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,692
Quietest
2 AM
~210 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
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 Piney Green, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on NC 24
29 ft·2 sec·Freedom Way
2
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Lejeune Boulevard
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Lejeune Boulevard
4
Turn slight right onto NC 24 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·Johnson Boulevard
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Marine Boulevard
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
7
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
8
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·Catherine Lake Road
9
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
11
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
12
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
13
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
14
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·NC 24
Use the right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Piney Green allows ample time to reach Winston-Salem before evening. The longest continuous stretch on I 40 is over 100 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before or during this segment. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility; however, breaking up the drive can make it more comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer highway portion where services might be less frequent than in urban areas.
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 114.9 miles from Piney Green, NC, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.4 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 51 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.9 miles or 2h 22m 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 46m
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 Piney Green, 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 Piney Green, NC
This is one driving day of about 229.7 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Piney Green, 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 106.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.5 and 229.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
109.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
195.4 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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.
8
215.7 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
229.1 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
$33.91 one way
$67.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.27
$74.53
premium
$4.49
$40.62
$81.25
diesel
$4.80
$43.37
$86.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.12
$11.03
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
EV Truck/SUV
91.9
1
$32.16
$14.70
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 18, 2026
Origin
Piney Green, NC
Night
in Piney Green on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
S 12 to 15 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:37PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT until July 18 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Night
in Winston-Salem on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 7 to 10 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:37PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT until July 18 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
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
2 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 80% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 106.4 miles on I 40, which means extended highway cruising. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads like NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road. Expect a steady pace for most of the trip, with fewer exits during the longer highway segments.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.5 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 229.7 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 49.5 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 37m. Total distance: 229.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.5 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
