Trip from Rockfish, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

127 mi

204 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 29m ★

6 AM

2h 40m

8 AM

3h 1m

10 AM

2h 47m

12 PM

2h 45m

3 PM

2h 48m

5 PM

3h 0m

8 PM

2h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Rockfish, NC

C k

Trip Overview

Embark on a 127.4-mile journey from Rockfish, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, a drive that will take approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. This route is entirely on local roads, with a highway share of 0%, making it a turn-heavy local experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this trip is perfectly suited as a single-day adventure, allowing you ample time to explore your destination. The drive traverses within the Southeast region, staying entirely within North Carolina. Consider this a straightforward, practical drive connecting two points in the state.

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

63.5 miles from Rockfish, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Isaac Brooks Highway	43.4 mi	52m
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
Fayetteville Outer Loop	9.4 mi	10m
US 421	6.9 mi	8m
Murchison Road	2.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Isaac Brooks Highway — 43.4 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockfish, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.

Start on Rockfish Road

101 ft · 2 sec · Rockfish Road

Turn slight left onto Lindsay Road

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Lindsay Road

Turn straight onto Gillis Hill Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · Gillis Hill Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto US 401

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Raeford Road

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

113 ft · 3 sec

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 22 sec · this road

Exit 12 Toward I 295 North: Fort Bragg

Merge onto I 295

9.4 mi · 10 min · Fayetteville Outer Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Exit 23 Toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North, NC 210: Spring Lake, Murchison Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NC 24; NC 87

0.2 mi · 16 sec · NC 24; NC 87

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87

0.7 mi · 1 min · NC 24; NC 87

Toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North, NC 210 West: Murchison Road, Spring Lake Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto NC 24; NC 87; NC 210

2.9 mi · 4 min · Murchison Road

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NC 24; NC 87; NC 210

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Bragg Boulevard

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87

21 mi · 29 min · North Bragg Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 87 BYP

12 mi · 13 min · Sanford Bypass

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 421

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Boone Trail Road

Continue on US 421

43 mi · 52 min · Isaac Brooks Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Merge onto I 85; US 421

4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 233A Toward Main Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn slight right onto South Main Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 9-minute duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to budget around $20 for fuel. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is primarily on local roads, plan for potential brief pauses as needed for rest or to pick up any necessities. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying close attention to navigation, especially as you transition between roads like Lindsay Road and Gillis Hill Road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as finding services might be less frequent than on major highways.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 63.5 miles from Rockfish, NC, or about 1h 23m 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 28 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63.5 miles or 1h 23m 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 12m

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 Rockfish, 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 Rockfish, NC

This is one driving day of about 127 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Rockfish, 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.

human settlement in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sanford, NC

64 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.

Popular next leg

Sanford, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

82.2 mi · 1h 41m

Pacing Suggestions

Spring Lake, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sanford, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.5 miles from Rockfish, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 11min to go 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

+19194984466

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 107.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

13.1 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North, NC 210: Spring Lake, Murchison Road

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. Exit 23 Toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North, NC 210: Spring...

13.6 mi into trip | ~18m in | NC 24; NC 87

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87 toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North, NC 210 West: Murchison Road, Spring Lake

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward NC 24 West, NC 87 North, NC 210 West: Mu...

94.6 mi into trip | ~2h 1m 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...

100.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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,...

107.2 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.86 one way

$39.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$21.72	$43.43
premium	$4.70	$23.51	$47.01
diesel	$5.61	$28.04	$56.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.1	$13.33	$6.10
Efficient EV	31.8	$11.11	$5.08
EV Truck/SUV	50.8	$17.78	$8.13

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Rockfish, NC

Morning in Rockfish on Tuesday

Local time

6:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Morning in Winston-Salem on Tuesday

Local time

6:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Sanford, NC

64 mi in

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

25 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

2h 39m 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?

Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, characterized by numerous turns rather than long, straight stretches. The absence of highway driving means you'll be navigating local roads like Lindsay Road and Gillis Hill Road for the entire 127.4 miles. There's no significant uninterrupted stretch to report, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged with the road, experiencing the local landscape directly as you make your way from Rockfish to Winston-Salem.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

25 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?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 127 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 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.6 miles (NC 24; NC 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.6 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Rockfish, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Spring Lake, Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.

Spring Lake

13.6 mi in | ~18m | via NC 24; NC 87

Durham

94.6 mi in | ~2h 1m | via US 421

Charlotte

94.6 mi in | ~2h 1m | via US 421

Martinsville

100.5 mi in | ~2h 8m | via I 73; US 421

About the Cities

Arriving in Winston-Salem, NC

Full guide →

Founded 1766

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

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 2h 39m. Total distance: 127 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Winston-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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Explore more options from Rockfish, NC or browse trips ending in Winston-Salem, NC.

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Trip from Rockfish, NC to Winston-Salem, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

West End Cafe

Kyles Coffee

West End Cafe

Kyles Coffee

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

All A Flutter Farms LLC

Kiwanis Family Park

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

The Pint Sized Pasture

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Rockfish, NC

Winston-Salem, NC

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 39m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Winston-Salem, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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