Sneads Ferry, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 50m via I 40 and NC 24, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to a different part of the same region. With 78% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct drive for most of the way. This is a solid one-day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points in the Tar Heel 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
119.7 miles from Sneads Ferry, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
106.4 mi
2h 3m
NC 24
60.5 mi
1h 5m
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi
21m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
Wilmington Highway
11.7 mi
16m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
NC 50
5.1 mi
6m
Richlands Highway
5 mi
7m
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 Sneads Ferry, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on Country Club Road
0.6 mi·46 sec·Country Club Road
2
Continue on Country Club Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Country Club Road
3
Turn left onto NC 172
1.0 mi·1 min·NC Highway 172
4
Turn right onto NC 210
0.9 mi·1 min·NC Highway 210
5
Continue on NC 210
3.1 mi·4 min·Dixon-Sneads Ferry Road
6
Turn slight right
133 ft·2 sec
7
Merge onto US 17
12 mi·16 min·Wilmington Highway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
9
Merge onto NC 24; NC 53
0.7 mi·1 min·NC 24; NC 53
10
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
11
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·Catherine Lake Road
12
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
15
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
16
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
17
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·NC 24
Use the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 50-minute estimated drive time, leaving Sneads Ferry in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. The recommended single stop is sufficient, but feel free to add more if needed, especially during the longest 106.4-mile stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; with a budget of $37, most of your refueling will likely occur on the highway sections. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart later or make spontaneous stops if time allows.
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 119.7 miles from Sneads Ferry, NC, or about 2h 30m 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 53 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 Sneads Ferry, 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 Sneads Ferry, NC
This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Sneads Ferry, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 59.1 and 238.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
59.1 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
205 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
$35.33 one way
$70.66 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.83
$77.65
premium
$4.49
$42.32
$84.64
diesel
$4.80
$45.18
$90.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.94
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.50
$15.32
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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
Sneads Ferry, NC
Morning
in Sneads Ferry on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 12 to 17 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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
6 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 50m 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 route features a high percentage of highway driving, with 78% of the 239.3 miles on interstates and major highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 106.4 miles on I 40, which means long stretches of consistent speed. The drive transitions from highway to surface roads, likely around where NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road become more prominent, offering a change of pace from the main interstate. Expect a generally smooth experience with fewer turns for the majority of the trip.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
9/10
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 59.1 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort9/10
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 239.3 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 59.1 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205 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 50m. Total distance: 239.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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 59.1 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 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.
