This straightforward 70.3-mile drive from Yanceyville, NC, to Winston-Salem, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just about 1 hour and 31 minutes. You'll spend about 78% of your time on highways, making it a relatively efficient journey through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of around $11, this route offers an economical way to travel between these two North Carolina cities. The lack of designated stops suggests it's a drive best suited for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours, perfect for a quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.2 miles from Yanceyville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 158
28.4 mi
39m
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi
16m
Greensboro Urban Loop
13.2 mi
15m
US 29
7.8 mi
10m
I 40
5.1 mi
5m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
North Main Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 158
— 28.4 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yanceyville, NC and Winston-Salem, NC.
1
Start on North Avenue
0.2 mi·49 sec·North Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 158; NC 86
1.1 mi·1 min·US 158; NC 86
3
Turn left onto US 158
19 mi·27 min·US 158
4
Turn left onto US 158
8.5 mi·9 min·US 158
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi·10 min·US 29
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 135Toward I 785 South, I 840: Winston-Salem, Raleigh, CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 135BToward I 840 West: Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 840
13 mi·15 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 103B-AToward I 40, US 421 North: Greensboro, Winston-SalemUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 103BToward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-SalemUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 40; US 421
5.1 mi·5 min·I 40; US 421
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
13 mi·16 min·Salem Parkway
Exit 206Toward US 421 North: KernersvilleUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 233AToward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 31 minutes, this route offers significant flexibility for departure times. Leaving Yanceyville in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Winston-Salem with plenty of daylight. With a total distance of 70.3 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry extensively about refueling stops. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between US 158 and the Salem Parkway, ensuring a smooth continuation of your journey toward Winston-Salem.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.2 miles from Yanceyville, NC, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.4 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.2 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winston-Salem, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yanceyville, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yanceyville, NC
This is one driving day of about 70.3 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Yanceyville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 158 for about 28.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.4 and 56.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
36.4 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 785 South, I 840: Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Charlotte
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 135
Toward I 785 South, I 840: Winston-Salem, Ralei...
8
36.7 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 840 West: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 135B
Toward I 840 West: Winston-Salem
8
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 40, US 421 North: Greensboro, Winston-Salem
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 103B-A
Toward I 40, US 421 North: Greensboro, Winston-...
9
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 103B
Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
8
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 421 / Salem Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.99 one way
$21.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$12.02
$24.04
premium
$4.70
$13.01
$26.02
diesel
$5.61
$15.52
$31.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.1
0
$7.38
$3.37
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.15
$2.81
EV Truck/SUV
28.1
0
$9.84
$4.50
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Yanceyville, NC
Morning
in Yanceyville on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winston-Salem, NC
Morning
in Winston-Salem on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
4 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 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 70.3-mile route. The primary roads you'll navigate include US 158 and the Salem Parkway, with a segment on the Greensboro Urban Loop contributing to the highway share. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of driving at 28.4 miles on US 158. This profile suggests a drive characterized by consistent speed and straightforward navigation for the majority of the journey, transitioning between different highway systems as you progress toward Winston-Salem.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.4 mi on US 158.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 158 and Salem Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 36.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yanceyville, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, road signs point toward Raleigh and Charlotte.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 70.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.4 miles on US 158. 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 Winston-Salem, 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 36.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Winston-Salem, NC before heading back.
