West End Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13367234774
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
219.8 mi
354 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brices Creek, NC
Mark Stebnicki
This 219.8-mile journey from Winston-Salem, NC to Brices Creek, NC is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via US 158 East, Salem Parkway, and I 73 South, with no highway driving percentage, indicating a more local road experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $35, making it an economical choice. This route falls entirely within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward drive through North Carolina. It's well-suited for a day trip, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
109.9 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 421 | 38.8 mi | 46m |
| East New Bern Road | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| US 64 | 32 mi | 42m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| US 70 | 21.2 mi | 25m |
| Goldsboro Bypass | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| Salem Parkway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| US 70 BYP | 14.3 mi | 19m |
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Brices Creek, NC.
Start on North Main Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421; NC 150
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
Take the exit onto US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Take the exit
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 42
Continue on US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
Continue on US 70
Continue on I 42
Continue on US 70
Turn straight onto US 70; US 258
Continue on US 70; NC 58
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
Turn right onto Williams Road
Continue on Kelso Road
Turn sharp left onto Madame Moores Lane
Continue on Brices Creek Road
Turn left onto Perrytown Loop Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour and 28 minute estimated duration for this 219.8-mile trip, starting your drive earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. The $35 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra for unforeseen circumstances or detours. Since this is a 'turn-heavy local drive,' staying alert to road signs and changes in speed limits will be crucial for a smooth journey to Brices Creek.
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.
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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.9 miles or 2h 14m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brices Creek, NC than in the middle of the route.
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 219.8 miles and 4h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 109.9 miles from Winston-Salem, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13367234774
Near the start, right off the route
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13367234774
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New Bern, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New Bern, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New Bern, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New Bern, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12525140071
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~11 min detour
Siler City, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
New Bern, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
High Point, North Carolina
+13364545651
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Garner, North Carolina
+19197734442
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+13365233355
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13367684730
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Greensboro, North Carolina
+13368529721
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Cary, North Carolina
Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm
+19194380798
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
New Bern, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12526382577
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 57.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$34.37 one way
$68.74 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $37.58 | $75.16 |
| premium | $4.70 | $40.68 | $81.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.08 | $10.55 |
| Efficient EV | 55 | 0 | $19.23 | $8.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.9 | 1 | $30.77 | $14.07 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Winston-Salem on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Brices Creek on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 219.8-mile route, as indicated by the data. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on roads that require more frequent attention to turns and local traffic conditions rather than open interstate cruising. While the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a continuous engagement with the road. This means you'll be experiencing a more intimate drive through the landscape, with less opportunity for extended periods of high-speed travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and East New Bern Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 219.8 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 19.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Winston-Salem, NC and Brices Creek, NC, road signs point toward Durham and Pittsboro.
Durham
Pittsboro
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 219.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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