How far is Carolina Beach, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?

The driving distance from Carolina Beach, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 222.5 miles (358 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195 miles (313.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
222.46 mi
03h 58m
Flight
194.97 mi
313.78 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carolina Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
194.97 mi
Kilometers
313.78 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.46 mi
Kilometers
358.02 km
Drive Time
03h 58m

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 03h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winston-Salem
Sun, Apr 19, 4:26 PM EDT
Return by in Carolina Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 8:24 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carolina Beach
2026-04-19T12:28
Arrive Winston-Salem
Sun, Apr 19, 4:26 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:04 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carolina Beach
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Clayton
NC

Town in North Carolina

From Carolina Beach
122.2 mi
01h 59m
To Winston-Salem
100.2 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph SW
Destination
76°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Beach and Winston-Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 6 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Lake Park Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Carolina Beach Road

    6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road

  4. 4

    Continue on South College Road

    9.3 mi · 16 min · South College Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Michael Jordan Highway

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    86.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway

    13.4 mi · 16 min · Salem Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street

    1174 ft · 29 sec

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto South Main Street

    2161 ft · 44 sec · South Main Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carolina Beach 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
12 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Michael Jordan Highway
214 mi · 96%
Salem Parkway
13.4 mi · 6%
South College Road
9.34 mi · 4%
Carolina Beach Road
6.11 mi · 3%
North Lake Park Boulevard
1.33 mi · 1%
South Main Street
0.41 mi
Longest Stretch

Michael Jordan Highway

Continue on Michael Jordan Highway

107 mi · 01h 55m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.5 mi
195 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clayton
01h 59m from Carolina Beach
Leave By
9:04 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carolina Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Winston-Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 222.5 miles (358 km) and usually takes 03h 58m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Clayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.2 miles from Carolina Beach and 100.2 miles from Winston-Salem.

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

The direct path is about 195 miles (313.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:04 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.09 one way or $62.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carolina Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Winston-Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Clayton

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Clayton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 14.2 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 10.2 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 8.9 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
Nearby stop 10 mi away

Angier Police Department And Town Hall

Angier , NC
55 N Broad St W, Angier, NC 27501
Rating 4.3/5 6 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clayton.

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

21 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

22 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

28 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

33 mi away
211 North Academy Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carolina Beach and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 194.97 mi (313.78 km).

Carolina Beach

#1 Carolina Beach

Town of the United States

Population6,369
Coordinates34.0351700, -77.8936000
Altitude2
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: North Lake Park Boulevard (-77.893751, 34.03517)
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 358 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.85 gal
29.72 L · about $31.09
Round trip
$62.19
15.7 gal · 59.44 L
Estimated CO2
69.8 kg one way
Round trip: 139.5 kg / 308 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $31.09 $62.19
Mid-grade $4.43 $34.77 $69.54
Premium $4.78 $37.51 $75.01
Diesel $5.62 $44.15 $88.30

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Carolina Beach and Winston-Salem. The current time is 12:28:16.

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.