How far is Forest City, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?

The driving distance from Forest City, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 123.3 miles (198.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 14m 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
123.3 mi
02h 07m
Flight
105.2 mi
169.31 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forest City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.2 mi
Kilometers
169.31 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
123.3 mi
Kilometers
198.44 km
Drive Time
02h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winston-Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 4:03 AM EDT
Return by in Forest City
Sat, Apr 18, 6:10 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forest City
2026-04-18T01:56
Arrive Winston-Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 4:03 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forest City
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
Conover
NC

City in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Forest City
61.6 mi
01h 03m
To Winston-Salem
61.8 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph WSW
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest City and Winston-Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on Cherry Mountain Street

    17 m · 5 sec · Cherry Mountain Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Hudlow Road

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Hudlow Road

  4. 4

    Turn right

    25.8 mi · 37 min

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1331 ft · 32 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    84.3 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  7. 7

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

    2800 ft · 37 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway

  9. 9

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

    582 ft · 14 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on High Street Southwest

    140 m · 15 sec · High Street Southwest

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Cherry Street South

    1223 ft · 27 sec · Cherry Street South

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    901 ft · 25 sec · West 2nd Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1314 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hudlow Road
90 mi · 73%
Salem Parkway
4.67 mi · 4%
West Main Street
1.39 mi · 1%
US 421 South
0.53 mi
North Main Street
0.25 mi
Cherry Street South
0.23 mi
Longest Stretch

Hudlow Road

Merge slight left

84.3 mi · 01h 36m

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 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
105.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Conover
01h 03m from Forest City
Leave By
2:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Forest City 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 Forest City to Winston-Salem?

The road trip is about 123.3 miles (198.4 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?

Conover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.6 miles from Forest City and 61.8 miles from Winston-Salem.

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

The direct path is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 2:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.23 one way or $34.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Forest City and Mostly Sunny near Winston-Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Conover

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Conover, 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 Conover.

RAIL

Gastonia

49 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Kannapolis

59 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Charlotte

63 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Salisbury

69 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forest City and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 105.2 mi (169.31 km).

Forest City

#1 Forest City

Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States

Population7,138
Coordinates35.3340100, -81.8651000
Altitude309
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: Cherry Mountain Street (-81.864991, 35.333988)
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 198 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.35 gal
16.47 L · about $17.23
Round trip
$34.46
8.7 gal · 32.94 L
Estimated CO2
38.7 kg one way
Round trip: 77.3 kg / 170 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.23 $34.46
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.27 $38.53
Premium $4.78 $20.78 $41.57
Diesel $5.62 $24.46 $48.93

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Forest City and Winston-Salem. The current time is 01:56:16.

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.