Traveling from Sharpsburg to Winston-Salem covers 160.4 miles of North Carolina’s landscape, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route avoids major interstates entirely, you should plan on a full day to complete the trip comfortably. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $25, this trek is an accessible option for those looking to avoid the pace of heavy highway traffic. Since you are staying within the Southeast region, the environment remains consistent, though the transition from the eastern part of the state toward the interior changes the character of the drive significantly. It is a straightforward trip that works best as a one-day excursion, allowing you to enjoy the local roads at a steady pace.
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
77.5 miles from Sharpsburg, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
42.3 mi
48m
US 264
23 mi
24m
I 40
20.3 mi
24m
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi
16m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi
12m
I 95
4.8 mi
5m
Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sharpsburg, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on East Main Street
48 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn sharp left onto Mill Branch Road
324 ft·15 sec·Mill Branch Road
3
Turn sharp left onto US 301
3.6 mi·5 min·South Hathaway Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Stagecoach Road
3.3 mi·5 min·Stagecoach Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Carter Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·Carter Road
6
Turn left onto NC 97
3.5 mi·5 min·NC 97
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward NC 97: AirportUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
4.8 mi·5 min·I 95
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 264 ALT: Wilson, Sims
10
Turn right onto US 264 Alternate
1.1 mi·1 min·Raleigh Road Parkway West
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto US 264
23 mi·24 min·US 264
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
14
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft·7 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
15
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Rolesville Road
16
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Marks Creek Road
17
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Horton Road
18
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi·6 min·Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·23 sec
20
Merge onto I 540
15 mi·16 min·Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi·3 min·New Raleigh Highway
24
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi·12 min·South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi·48 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 160.4-mile path, it is wise to depart early in the day to give yourself plenty of time to navigate the local roads without feeling rushed. You have the flexibility of a single planned stop, which is perfect for stretching your legs and refueling given the $25 estimated cost. Since you are relying exclusively on local routes like Stagecoach Road, keep a close eye on your GPS to ensure you stay on track through the numerous turns. The benefit of this shorter, non-highway drive is the lack of congestion, so use that to your advantage by maintaining a consistent, safe pace throughout the trip. Planning your single stop mid-way through the drive will help keep you fresh for the technical segments that define this route.
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 77.5 miles from Sharpsburg, NC, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.5 miles or 1h 38m 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 36m
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 Sharpsburg, 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 Sharpsburg, NC
This is one driving day of about 154.9 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Sharpsburg, 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 85 for about 42.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Mill Branch Road
Turn sharp left onto Mill Branch Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
10.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward NC 97: Airport
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NC 97: Airport
7
41.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
8
140.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
154.3 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
$24.22 one way
$48.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.49
$52.97
premium
$4.70
$28.67
$57.34
diesel
$5.61
$34.20
$68.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.5
0
$16.26
$7.44
Efficient EV
38.7
0
$13.55
$6.20
EV Truck/SUV
62
0
$21.69
$9.91
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Sharpsburg, NC
Late night
in Sharpsburg on Sunday
Local time
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
4:53 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 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate via Mill Branch Road, South Hathaway Boulevard, and Stagecoach Road, which keeps the experience focused on smaller, winding paths. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Mill Branch Road is zero miles, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and focus to handle the constant turns. This setup creates a very different atmosphere from the typical high-speed interstate grind. Behind the wheel, you should be prepared for a technical drive that requires your full attention as you transition between these specific local roads.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Branch Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 154.9 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: near the start (Mill Branch Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
966 ft138 ft
Total Climb
893 ft
Total Descent
120 ft
Highest Point
966 ft
~143.9 mi in
Elevation Range
827 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sharpsburg, NC to Winston-Salem, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Sims along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 154.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m 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 42.3 miles on I 85. 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: near the start (Mill Branch Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Winston-Salem, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
