How far is Columbus, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Columbus, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 141.1 miles (227 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.2 miles (199.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 29m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Winston-Salem.
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1
Start on East Mills Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East Mills Street
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2
Take the ramp right toward US 74 East: Forest City
1628 ft · 40 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
15.9 mi · 17 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · James A. Callahan Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward NC 120
1123 ft · 33 sec
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6
Turn left
1.4 km · 2 min
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ellenboro Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Ellenboro Road
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8
Turn left onto Mooresboro Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Mooresboro Road
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9
Turn left onto New House Road
1681 ft · 29 sec · New House Road
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10
Turn right onto West Stage Coach Trail
4 mi · 6 min · West Stage Coach Trail
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11
Turn left onto Polkville Road
1352 ft · 26 sec · Polkville Road
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Casar Road
7.6 mi · 11 min · Casar Road
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13
Turn right onto Pruitt Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Pruitt Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Wes Cook Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Wes Cook Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Casar Road
4.9 mi · 7 min · Casar Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
1288 ft · 23 sec
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17
Keep slight right
2.2 mi · 3 min
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18
Turn left onto Old Shelby Road
8.8 mi · 13 min · Old Shelby Road
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Old Shelby Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · Old Shelby Road
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20
Take the ramp right
1779 ft · 44 sec
-
21
Merge slight left
66.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min
-
22
Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
2800 ft · 37 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
582 ft · 14 sec
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25
Continue on High Street Southwest
140 m · 15 sec · High Street Southwest
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26
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
1223 ft · 27 sec · Cherry Street South
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27
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
901 ft · 25 sec · West 2nd Street
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28
Turn left onto North Main Street
1314 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Winston-Salem.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Old Shelby Road
Merge slight left
66.4 mi · 01h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Columbus 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 Columbus to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 141.1 miles (227 km) and usually takes 02h 29m 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?
Brookford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.5 miles from Columbus and 69.6 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.2 miles (199.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 1:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.73 one way or $39.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Mostly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Brookford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brookford.
Gastonia
Kannapolis
Charlotte
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 124.24 mi (199.94 km).
#1 Columbus
Town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,007 |
| Coordinates | 35.2531700, -82.1970600 |
| Altitude | 336 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Winston-Salem
The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
| Population | 248,112 |
| Coordinates | 36.0998600, -80.2442200 |
| Altitude | 293 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.73 | $39.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.06 | $44.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.79 | $47.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.01 | $56.02 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.