How far is Mills River, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Mills River, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 161.6 miles (260 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m 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 30m.
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.
Township in Burke County, North Carolina
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 Mills River and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mills River and Winston-Salem.
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1
Start on the route
5 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn left
17 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn right onto Boylston Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Boylston Highway
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4
Continue on New Airport Road
1.4 km · 1 min · New Airport Road
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5
Continue on Airport Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Airport Road
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6
Continue on Sweeten Creek Road
6.8 mi · 12 min · Sweeten Creek Road
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7
Take the ramp right
1170 ft · 29 sec
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8
Merge slight left
136 mi · 2 hr 35 min
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9
Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
2800 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
582 ft · 14 sec
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12
Continue on High Street Southwest
140 m · 15 sec · High Street Southwest
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13
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
1223 ft · 27 sec · Cherry Street South
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14
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
901 ft · 25 sec · West 2nd Street
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15
Turn left onto North Main Street
1314 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mills River 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.
Sweeten Creek Road
Merge slight left
136 mi · 02h 35m
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.
Clear leaving Mills River 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 Mills River to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 161.6 miles (260 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?
Icard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.8 miles from Mills River and 83.8 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 1:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.58 one way or $45.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Mills River and Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Icard
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 Icard.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mills River and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 139.21 mi (224.03 km).
#1 Mills River
Township in Henderson County, North Carolina
| Population | 7,471 |
| Coordinates | 35.3884500, -82.5667900 |
| Altitude | 639 |
| 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: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.58 | $45.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.25 | $50.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.23 | $54.47 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.06 | $64.11 |
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.