This 225.3-mile journey from Winston-Salem, NC, to Belville, NC, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 26 minutes. With a fuel cost around $36, this single-day trip is designed for travelers looking for a direct route within the Southeast region. The drive primarily utilizes US 158 East, Salem Parkway, and US 52 South, offering a local feel rather than extensive highway miles. Given its manageable duration, it’s well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break up the drive.
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
112.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
89 mi
1h 39m
Andrew Jackson Highway
70.1 mi
1h 24m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
East Hamlet Avenue
12.8 mi
16m
US 220
4.8 mi
6m
Hamlet Avenue
3.5 mi
5m
West Broad Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
Ocean Highway East
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 89 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-74
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,678 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,194
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 31 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 Winston-Salem, NC and Belville, NC.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.5 mi·59 sec·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
3
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
0.3 mi·21 sec·Salem Parkway
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 232CToward US 52 South: LexingtonUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
2.2 mi·3 min·John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 107AToward I 40 East: GreensboroUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40
2.2 mi·2 min·I 40
8
Take the exit onto I 74
89 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 74
Exit 196Toward I 74 East: High PointUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 220
4.8 mi·6 min·US 220
Exit 22Toward US 220 South: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
2.5 mi·4 min·West Broad Avenue
11
Continue on US 74 BUS
3.5 mi·5 min·Hamlet Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
466 ft·11 sec·Raleigh Street
13
Turn right onto US 74 BUS
0.3 mi·41 sec·Spring Street
14
Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue
13 mi·16 min·East Hamlet Avenue
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
17
Continue on US 74; NC 130
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 17; US 74; US 76
2.4 mi·3 min·Ocean Highway East
19
Take the exit onto US 74; NC 133
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 74; NC 133
20
Arrive at destination
US 74; NC 133
Trip Plan
For this 4 hour and 26 minute drive covering 225.3 miles, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and avoid potential traffic, especially as you pass through more populated areas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling accordingly, particularly given the turn-heavy nature of the route which can sometimes impact fuel efficiency. A good tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the US 158 East segment, as it often involves more local traffic and speed limit changes.
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 112.6 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.6 miles or 2h 13m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC
This is one driving day of about 225.3 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Winston-Salem, 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 74 for about 89 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 94.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
8
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward US 52 South: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232C
Toward US 52 South: Lexington
7
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro
7
5.9 mi into trip|~8m in|I 74
Take the exit onto I 74 toward I 74 East: High Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 196
Toward I 74 East: High Point
7
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|US 220
Take the exit onto US 220 toward US 220 South: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22
Toward US 220 South: Rockingham
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.84 one way
$71.67 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$39.07
$78.15
premium
$4.78
$42.39
$84.78
diesel
$5.35
$47.45
$94.91
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: 78.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.81
Efficient EV
56.3
0
$19.71
$9.01
EV Truck/SUV
90.1
1
$31.54
$14.42
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 May 27, 2026
Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Evening
in Winston-Salem on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 9 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 5:24PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 27 at 5:18PM EDT until May 27 at 9:30PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Belville, NC
Evening
in Belville on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 5:24PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 27 at 5:18PM EDT until May 27 at 9:30PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
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 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 26m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 209.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 225.3-mile route, with a highway share of 0%. This means you'll be navigating more local roads and intersections than high-speed expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed. As you travel from Winston-Salem towards Belville, the landscape will likely shift from urban and suburban environments to more rural settings, requiring your constant attention to navigation and traffic signals.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 225.3 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 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 26m. Total distance: 225.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89 miles on I 74. 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 Belville, 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 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Belville, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
