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Trip from Winston-Salem, NC to Seagate, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
229 mi
369 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 12m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Winston-Salem, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Seagate, NC
R9 Media Photo Collective
Trip Overview
Winston-Salem, NC to Seagate, NC is 229 miles and takes about 4h 25m via I 40 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Piedmont region towards the coast. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for efficient travel. This route is a practical choice if you're looking for a direct way to cover ground within the 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
114.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 108.1 mi | 1h 56m |
| US 421 | 38.8 mi | 46m |
| US 64 | 32 mi | 42m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| Salem Parkway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Eastwood Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North College Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Oleander Drive | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 108.1 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,167 veh/hr typical · worst 1,513
Quietest
2 AM
~54 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Seagate, 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
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421; NC 150
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 421
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi
·
32 min
·
US 421
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
14
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
17
Continue on US 117; NC 132
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Road
18
Turn left onto US 74
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastwood Road
20
Turn right onto US 17; US 76
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Military Cutoff Road
21
Continue on US 17; US 76
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Oleander Drive
Use the straight lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 17; US 76
Trip Plan
For this 4h 25m drive, leaving Winston-Salem in the morning should allow ample time to reach Seagate before evening. Since the drive is under 5 hours, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stop. There's only one recommended stop, so plan for a quick break midway if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 108.1-mile stretch on I 40, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so budget accordingly.
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 114.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.1 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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 19m 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 Seagate, 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 229 miles and 4h 25m.
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 40 for about 108.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.1 miles.
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.
Duplin County I-40 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 113.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 421
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...
7
31.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
8
31.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
8
57.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
8
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.42 one way
$72.85 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $39.71 | $79.43 |
| premium | $4.78 | $43.09 | $86.17 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $48.23 | $96.47 |
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: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.05 | $10.99 |
| Efficient EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.04 | $9.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.06 | $14.66 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Afternoon in Winston-Salem on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Seagate, NC
Afternoon in Seagate on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 9 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
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 25m 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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 205.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 96% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a long stretch of 108.1 miles on I 40, which means you'll be on high-speed, limited-access roads for the bulk of your travel. After the highway portion concludes, you'll transition to US 64 and US 421 for the remainder of the trip. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits on the interstate segments.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 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 18 significant decision points across 229 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 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; at 31.6 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
934 ft
24 ft
Total Climb
206 ft
Total Descent
1,092 ft
Highest Point
934 ft
~16.4 mi in
Elevation Range
910 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Winston-Salem, NC and Seagate, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro and Wilmington.
Durham
19.1 mi in
|
~23m
|
via US 421
Pittsboro
57.9 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Wilmington
115.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Seagate, NC
Full guide →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 4h 25m. Total distance: 229 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.1 miles on I 40. 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 Seagate, 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 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; at 31.6 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Seagate, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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