Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Late night in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
56.3 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kannapolis, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 56.3-mile drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Kannapolis, NC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including I-85 and John Gold Memorial Expressway, with 93% of the journey on these faster roads. With an estimated fuel cost of just $9, this is an economical option for a quick hop within the Southeast region. Given its short length and highway focus, no overnight stays are necessary. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two North Carolina cities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 26.9 mi | 28m |
| John Gold Memorial Expressway | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| I 285 | 3.7 mi | 3m |
| Dale Earnhardt Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Salem Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ford Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 26.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem, NC and Kannapolis, 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 232C
Toward US 52 South: Lexington
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto US 52; NC 8
22 mi
·
24 min
·
John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
3.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
7
Merge onto I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 85; US 52
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 85; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 60
Toward Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Ford Street
438 ft
·
21 sec
·
Ford Street
12
Turn right onto Cadillac Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cadillac Street
13
Arrive at destination
Cadillac Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.2 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 53.6 — 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
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway
Merge onto US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
53.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 60
Toward Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Bo...
6
53.6 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.80 one way
$17.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.63 | $19.25 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.42 | $20.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.43 | $24.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
| Efficient EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.93 | $2.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.88 | $3.60 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Kannapolis, NC
Late night in Kannapolis on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Lexington, NC
28 mi in
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
14 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
1h 5m 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 highway-focused experience for most of this 56.3-mile journey. With 93% of the drive on highways like I-85, you'll encounter mostly fast-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 26.9 miles on I-85, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the bulk of the route is on these main arteries, be prepared for the transition as you approach your destination. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.9 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and John Gold Memorial Expressway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 1.2 miles (US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Winston-Salem, NC
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 56.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.9 miles on I 85. 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 Kannapolis, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 1.2 miles (US 52; NC 8 / John Gold Memorial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kannapolis, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kannapolis, NC
More trips to Kannapolis, NC
Explore more options from Winston-Salem, NC or browse trips ending in Kannapolis, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.