How far is Canton, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?

The driving distance from Canton, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 161 miles (259.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.5 miles (242.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
160.98 mi
02h 34m
Flight
150.47 mi
242.16 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Canton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.47 mi
Kilometers
242.16 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.98 mi
Kilometers
259.08 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winston-Salem
Sun, May 17, 12:16 AM EDT
Return by in Canton
Sun, May 17, 2:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Canton
2026-05-16T21:41
Arrive Winston-Salem
Sun, May 17, 12:16 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Canton
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Connelly Springs
NC

Town in North Carolina

From Canton
80.4 mi
01h 17m
To Winston-Salem
80.6 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sat, May 16 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph SSW
Destination
84°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Canton and Winston-Salem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Canton and Winston-Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Church Street

    1161 ft · 51 sec · Church Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Ashville Highway

    763 ft · 19 sec · Ashville Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on Asheville Highway

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Asheville Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Smokey Park Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Smokey Park Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Wiggins Road

    60 m · 5 sec · Wiggins Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    1155 ft · 28 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

    149.9 mi · 2 hr 52 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway

    2800 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street

    582 ft · 14 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on High Street Southwest

    140 m · 15 sec · High Street Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Cherry Street South

    1223 ft · 27 sec · Cherry Street South

  14. 14

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    901 ft · 25 sec · West 2nd Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1314 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Canton and Winston-Salem.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
150 mi · 93%
Salem Parkway
4.67 mi · 3%
Asheville Highway
3.73 mi · 2%
Smokey Park Highway
0.78 mi
US 421 South
0.53 mi
Wiggins Road
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

150 mi · 02h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.5 mi
150.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Connelly Springs
01h 17m from Canton
Leave By
1:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Canton and Mostly Sunny near Winston-Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Canton to Winston-Salem?

The road trip is about 161 miles (259.1 km) and usually takes 02h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Connelly Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.4 miles from Canton and 80.6 miles from Winston-Salem.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 150.5 miles (242.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Canton and Mostly Sunny near Winston-Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Connelly Springs

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Connelly Springs, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Connelly Springs.

RAIL

Gastonia

62 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Charlotte

84 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Kannapolis

85 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Salisbury

96 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Canton and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 150.47 mi (242.16 km).

Canton

#1 Canton

Town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States

Population4,369
Coordinates35.5328800, -82.8373600
Altitude797
CountryUnited States
Winston-Salem

#2 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

Population248,112
Coordinates36.0998600, -80.2442200
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Start: Church Street (-82.837474, 35.532948)
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 259 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.68 gal
21.5 L · about $22.50
Round trip
$45.00
11.36 gal · 43 L
Estimated CO2
50.5 kg one way
Round trip: 101 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.50 $45.00
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.16 $50.31
Premium $4.78 $27.14 $54.28
Diesel $5.62 $31.94 $63.89

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Carolina · May 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Canton and Winston-Salem. The current time is 21:41:12.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.