Winston-Salem, NC to Surf City, NC is 231 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 40 and US 421, 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. With over 90% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path with minimal detours. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
115.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
60.4 mi
1h 4m
US 421
38.8 mi
46m
NC 50
36.2 mi
52m
US 64
32 mi
42m
Triangle Expressway
22 mi
23m
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi
21m
Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi
12m
South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~798 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,234
Quietest
2 AM
~51 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Surf City, 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, DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 126Toward US 421: SanfordUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi·32 min·US 421
Exit 126AToward US 421 South: SanfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 171Toward US 64: Siler City, PittsboroUse 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 SouthUse 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 RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 40
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
17
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi·47 sec·NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
18
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
19
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
20
Turn right onto NC 50
11 mi·14 min·NC 50
21
Continue on NC 41; NC 50
1.9 mi·2 min·NC 41; NC 50
22
Turn right onto NC 50
3.0 mi·4 min·NC 50
23
Continue on Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi·12 min·Cypress Creek Road
24
Turn left onto Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Sycamore Springs Road
25
Continue on Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi·2 min·Old Maple Hill Road North
26
Turn left onto NC 50
5.1 mi·7 min·NC 50
27
Turn right onto NC 50
17 mi·24 min·NC 50
28
Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 210
113 ft·2 sec·NC 50; NC 210
29
Continue on NC 50; NC 210
0.8 mi·1 min·NC 50; NC 210
30
Enter roundabout onto NC 210
225 ft·4 sec·North New River Drive
31
Continue on NC 210
126 ft·2 sec·North New River Drive
32
Continue on North New River Drive
202 ft·10 sec·North New River Drive
33
Turn left onto Roland Avenue
109 ft·12 sec·Roland Avenue
34
Continue on Roland Avenue
76 ft·1 sec·Roland Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Roland Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4h 44m drive, consider an early morning departure from Winston-Salem to make the most of your arrival day in Surf City. The route is straightforward, so you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 60.4 miles on I 40, so plan accordingly for that segment. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing or add an unscheduled stop if needed.
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 115.5 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 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 51 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 2h 20m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surf City, 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 231 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 60.4 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 28
5 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
$36.74 one way
$73.48 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$40.06
$80.12
premium
$4.78
$43.46
$86.93
diesel
$5.35
$48.66
$97.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 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
69.3
0
$24.26
$11.09
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.21
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.34
$14.78
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 28, 2026
Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Afternoon
in Winston-Salem on Wednesday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Surf City, NC
Afternoon
in Surf City on Wednesday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph15% chanceLive 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
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 44m 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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 207.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 91% of the 231 miles on major roads like I 40. You'll experience a longest stretch of 60.4 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads like US 421 and NC 50. Expect a higher density of exits and merging traffic as you approach and navigate through populated areas on the interstate.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.4 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 Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 231 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
928 ft4 ft
Total Climb
146 ft
Total Descent
1,054 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~16.5 mi in
Elevation Range
924 ft
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 Surf City, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
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
Topsail Beach is a city in Pender County, on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Topsail Island is halfway between Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC (about 25 miles from either city). Topsail Island consists of three island towns: Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 231 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Surf City, 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 5 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Surf City, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
