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

The driving distance from Kannapolis, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 57 miles (91.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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
57 mi
00h 57m
Flight
47.31 mi
76.14 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kannapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
47.31 mi
Kilometers
76.14 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57 mi
Kilometers
91.73 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winston-Salem
Thu, May 7, 12:50 AM EDT
Return by in Kannapolis
Thu, May 7, 1:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kannapolis
2026-05-06T23:52
Arrive Winston-Salem
Thu, May 7, 12:50 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kannapolis
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
Lexington
NC

City in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States

From Kannapolis
27.1 mi
00h 28m
To Winston-Salem
30 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 6 11:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
79°F
Today

Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, May 6 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Cadillac Street

    707 ft · 36 sec · Cadillac Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Ford Street

    134 m · 23 sec · Ford Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

    1307 ft · 30 sec · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Fairview Street

    1696 ft · 49 sec · Fairview Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Cannon Boulevard

    6.9 mi · 11 min · South Cannon Boulevard

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    1631 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    28 m · 2 sec

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout

    585 ft · 11 sec

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    23 m · 1 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    702 ft · 13 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    50 m · 3 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    1692 ft · 42 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    14.8 mi · 17 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem

    4.1 mi · 4 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem

    21.6 mi · 25 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway

    975 ft · 29 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    2199 ft · 34 sec · Salem Parkway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street

    1174 ft · 29 sec

  20. 20

    Turn slight right onto South Main Street

    2161 ft · 44 sec · South Main Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Cannon Boulevard
26.4 mi · 46%
I 285 North
25.6 mi · 45%
Salem Parkway
0.42 mi · 1%
South Main Street
0.41 mi · 1%
Fairview Street
0.32 mi · 1%
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

I 285 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem

21.6 mi · 00h 25m

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.7 mi
47.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
00h 28m from Kannapolis
Leave By
4:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kannapolis and Slight Chance Light Rain near Winston-Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 57 miles (91.7 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.1 miles from Kannapolis and 30 miles from Winston-Salem.

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

The direct path is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 4:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kannapolis and Slight Chance Light Rain near Winston-Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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

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

RAIL

Lexington

Center St. and railroad tracks
RAIL

Salisbury

25 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

High Point

27 mi away
100 West High St
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

30 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 47.31 mi (76.14 km).

Kannapolis

#1 Kannapolis

The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Population52,007
Coordinates35.4873600, -80.6217300
Altitude244
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: Cadillac Street (-80.6217, 35.487306)
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.01 gal
7.61 L · about $7.96
Round trip
$15.92
4.02 gal · 15.22 L
Estimated CO2
17.9 kg one way
Round trip: 35.7 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.96 $15.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.90 $17.80
Premium $4.78 $9.60 $19.21
Diesel $5.62 $11.30 $22.61

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem. The current time is 23:52:26.

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.