Winston-Salem, NC to Swansboro, NC is 238.3 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 40 and US 421, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Piedmont region towards the coast. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward connection between two points. Plan for this to be a mostly straightforward drive, ideal for a single-day trip.
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
119.1 miles from Winston-Salem, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
60.4 mi
1h 4m
US 421
38.8 mi
46m
US 64
32 mi
42m
Triangle Expressway
22 mi
23m
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi
21m
NC 111
14.4 mi
21m
Freedom Way
9.3 mi
11m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
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 Swansboro, 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
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
21
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
22
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·NC 111
24
Merge onto US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
25
Continue on NC 24; NC 53
3.0 mi·3 min·NC 24; NC 53
26
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
0.4 mi·28 sec·Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
27
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
1.3 mi·1 min·Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397
0.6 mi·48 sec·Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
29
Merge onto NC 24; NC 53
5.2 mi·7 min·Lejeune Boulevard
30
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi·11 min·Freedom Way
31
Continue on NC 24
2.7 mi·5 min·West Corbett Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn slight right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Main Street
33
Turn right onto South Water Street
38 ft·1 sec·South Water Street
34
Arrive at destination
South Water Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 55m estimated duration, leaving Winston-Salem in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. This route is manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without major services could be about 60 miles on I 40. While there's only one suggested stop, you can easily add more breaks as needed along I 40 or US 421 if you prefer to pace yourself more.
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 119.1 miles from Winston-Salem, NC, or about 2h 24m 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.1 miles or 2h 24m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swansboro, 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 238.3 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 27
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
$35.18 one way
$70.36 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.66
$77.33
premium
$4.49
$42.14
$84.29
diesel
$4.80
$45.00
$89.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.5
0
$25.02
$11.44
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.85
$9.53
EV Truck/SUV
95.3
1
$33.36
$15.25
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Swansboro, NC
Morning
in Swansboro on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
S 12 to 17 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 82% of the route being on them. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 60.4 miles on I 40. Expect a significant portion of your drive to be on high-speed roads before transitioning to surface streets closer to your destination. The frequent exits on I 40 indicate a need for attention as you approach towns and interchanges.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 27 significant decision points across 238.3 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 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
911 ft0 ft
Total Climb
101 ft
Total Descent
996 ft
Highest Point
911 ft
Elevation Range
911 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 Swansboro, 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
Swansboro, sometimes called the "Friendly City by the Sea", is a town of 3,700 people (as of 2020) in Onslow County, North Carolina, between the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The town was incorporated in 1783, and named for Samuel Swann, a former Speaker in the North Carolina legislature. It's on the western border of the popular Crystal Coast tourist region, and is often considered to be unofficially part of the region. The town's main attractions are its beautiful waterfront views and its quaint downtown, filled with boutiques, shops and delicious restaurants.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 238.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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 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 Swansboro, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Swansboro, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
