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Trip from Stedman, 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 48m

Distance

130.4 mi

210 km

Drive Score

9/10

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 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m

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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Downtown Stedman, NC, NC

Stedman, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 130.4-mile journey from Stedman, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, is a manageable one-day road trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate on Isaac Brooks Highway and North Bragg Boulevard before transitioning to the Salem Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of around $20, this drive is quite economical. The route, characterized by its frequent turns, offers a more local feel rather than a pure interstate experience. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single day's travel, allowing for flexibility without the need for an overnight stop.

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

65.2 miles from Stedman, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m 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
NC 24 10.5 mi 15m
Murchison Road 8.6 mi 13m
US 421 6.9 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Isaac Brooks Highway — 43.4 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SR 1971

0.8 mi · 1 min · Clinton Road
2

Turn right onto Blake Road

223 ft · 6 sec · Blake Road
3

Merge onto NC 24

0.1 mi · 9 sec · NC 24
4

Take the exit

401 ft · 17 sec
Toward NC 24 West
5

Turn left onto NC 24

10 mi · 15 min · NC 24
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on NC 24; NC 210

0.6 mi · 1 min · Rowan Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Turn right onto NC 210

8.6 mi · 13 min · Murchison Road
Use the right lane.
8

Continue on NC 24; NC 87; NC 210

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Bragg Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 24; NC 87

21 mi · 29 min · North Bragg Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 87 BYP

12 mi · 13 min · Sanford Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on US 421

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Boone Trail Road
12

Continue on US 421

43 mi · 52 min · Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

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.
14

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.
15

Merge onto I 85; US 421

4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

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.
17

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.
18

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.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 233A Toward Main Street Use 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

For this 2 hour and 48 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Stedman to maximize daylight and minimize potential delays. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost estimated at $20, pacing isn't a major concern, but it's wise to be aware of your fuel gauge, especially during the 43.4-mile stretch on Isaac Brooks Highway. The 'turn-heavy local drive' nature means paying close attention to navigation is key; keep your GPS handy. This 130.4-mile trip is easily completed in a single day, so you have the flexibility to stop at your leisure or push through to Winston-Salem efficiently.

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 65.2 miles from Stedman, NC, or about 1h 30m 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 29 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 20m

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 Stedman, 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 Stedman, NC

This is one driving day of about 130.4 miles and 2h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Stedman, 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

65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sanford, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.2 miles from Stedman, 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 · 12min to go 1.1 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 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Siler City, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Siler City, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19104860221

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Fayetteville Area CVB

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19104835311

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Kiwanis Family Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+19197758247

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

The Pint Sized Pasture

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

+19194984466

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 98 and 116.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
98 mi into trip | ~2h 9m 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...
8
98.2 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | US 421

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
9
103.8 mi into trip | ~2h 17m 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,...
9
110.5 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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
8
116.4 mi into trip | ~2h 31m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.39 one way

$40.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $22.30 $44.59
premium $4.70 $24.13 $48.27
diesel $5.61 $28.79 $57.58

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: 45.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.1 0 $13.69 $6.26
Efficient EV 32.6 0 $11.41 $5.22
EV Truck/SUV 52.2 0 $18.26 $8.35

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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 20, 2026

Origin

Stedman, NC

Morning in Stedman on Tuesday

Local time

8:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winston-Salem, NC

Morning in Winston-Salem on Tuesday

Local time

8:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Sanford, NC

65 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

22 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 48m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 130.4-mile route, with only 24% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 43.4 miles on Isaac Brooks Highway, offering a brief period of less frequent turns before you return to more varied road conditions. This profile suggests a driving experience that involves more navigation and potentially slower speeds through local areas, contrasting with long, open highway stretches. You'll likely experience a dynamic road personality, shifting between more direct routes and those requiring more attention to turns and local traffic.

Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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 98 miles in near US 421.

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 14 significant decision points across 130.4 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 98 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Stedman, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.

Durham

98 mi in | ~2h 9m | via US 421

Charlotte

98 mi in | ~2h 9m | via US 421

Martinsville

103.8 mi in | ~2h 17m | 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 48m. Total distance: 130.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 48m 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 98 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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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