Southport, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is 243 miles and takes about 4h 50m via US 220, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive, entirely within North Carolina, moves you from the Southeast coast region inland toward the Piedmont. It's a fairly straightforward trip, ideal for a single day of travel. Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate various road types. This route is a solid choice if you're looking for a practical, no-frills journey 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
121.5 miles from Southport, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
62.7 mi
1h 11m
Andrew Jackson Highway
54.2 mi
1h 1m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
I 74
32.3 mi
37m
Green Swamp Road Northwest
25.6 mi
35m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
14.9 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
John Gold Memorial Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-73
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~563 veh/hr typical
· worst 967
Quietest
2 AM
~40 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
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 Southport, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on NC 211
1.9 mi·3 min·North Howe Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on NC 211
15 mi·21 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on NC 211
26 mi·35 min·Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
5
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
6
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
7
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
11 mi·11 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 311Toward US 1: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 1
1.1 mi·1 min·US 1
Use the right lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 220
4.4 mi·6 min·US 220
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi·36 sec·US 220
Use the left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
31 mi·35 min·I 74
Exit 80Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-SalemUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
16
Merge onto I 40
2.0 mi·2 min·I 40
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 52 North: Mount AiryUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
2.1 mi·2 min·John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 109BToward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem ParkwayUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.4 mi·34 sec·Salem Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m drive time and 243-mile distance, starting your day after morning rush hour will give you plenty of flexibility. The estimated fuel cost is around $38, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Southport, NC. While there's only one designated stop mentioned in the data, plan for additional breaks as needed, especially during the 62.7-mile stretch on US 220. Given it’s a single-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to book overnight accommodations, allowing for a more spontaneous departure or arrival.
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 121.5 miles from Southport, NC, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.5 miles or 2h 28m 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 57m
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 Southport, 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 Southport, NC
This is one driving day of about 243 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Southport, 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 US 220 for about 62.7 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 141 and 242.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
141 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
147.2 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
205.1 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 80
Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
8
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 109B
Toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
7
242.4 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
$35.88 one way
$71.75 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.43
$78.85
premium
$4.49
$42.97
$85.95
diesel
$4.80
$45.88
$91.77
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 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.66
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.26
$9.72
EV Truck/SUV
97.2
1
$34.02
$15.55
Gas CO2
85 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
Southport, NC
Late night
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 to 16 mph14% 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
Late night
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 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
89°F
Aberdeen, NC
122 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
8 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 41.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey offers a mixed driving profile, with 46% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 220, also known as Andrew Jackson Highway and American Indian Highway, which can feel more like a traditional highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 62.7 miles on US 220, allowing for a solid period of consistent travel. As you progress, the road character will likely shift between faster sections and more local, potentially slower-paced segments, especially as you approach your destination.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on US 220.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 141 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 243 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 141 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.2 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.1 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Southport is a city on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Back in the 18th century, British settlements along this stretch of coast were afflicted by buccaneers and Spanish frigates to the point that a fortification named Fort Johnston had to be built, around which a town then called Smithville after Revolutionary War figure Benjamin Smith took shape, which eventually became known as Southport (in the hopes that it would initiate maritime traffic). But if anything Southport is a leisure and retirement haven, although granted it does have some military and nuclear power facilities nearby. It's also a filming location, such as for the movies Safe Haven and Nights in Rodanthe that you might have seen.
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: 243 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on US 220. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 141 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.2 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.1 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
