How far is Kinston, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Kinston, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.3 miles (257.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kinston and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kinston and Winston-Salem.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 13 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Walls Street
51 m · 10 sec · Walls Street
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3
Turn right onto West North Street
75 m · 18 sec · West North Street
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4
Turn left onto North Herritage Street
1290 ft · 50 sec · North Herritage Street
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5
Turn right onto Old Pink Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Pink Hill Road
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6
Turn right onto West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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7
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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8
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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9
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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12
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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15
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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16
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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17
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Salem Parkway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1174 ft · 29 sec
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20
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
2161 ft · 44 sec · South Main Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kinston and Winston-Salem.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 01h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Kinston and Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kinston to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.4 miles from Kinston and 92.7 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.3 miles (257.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 10:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.87 one way or $51.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kinston and Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Morrisville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kinston and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 160.23 mi (257.86 km).
#1 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.87 | $51.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.92 | $57.84 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.20 | $62.40 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.72 | $73.45 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.