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

The driving distance from Rutherfordton, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 121.1 miles (194.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.5 miles (174.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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
121.09 mi
02h 03m
Flight
108.5 mi
174.62 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rutherfordton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
108.5 mi
Kilometers
174.62 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.09 mi
Kilometers
194.87 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winston-Salem
Wed, May 13, 11:40 PM EDT
Return by in Rutherfordton
Thu, May 14, 1:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rutherfordton
2026-05-13T21:37
Arrive Winston-Salem
Wed, May 13, 11:40 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:04 AM to 12:04 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rutherfordton
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
Claremont
NC

City in North Carolina, United States

From Rutherfordton
60.5 mi
01h 01m
To Winston-Salem
60.6 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 13 mph SSW
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1414 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Green Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Green Street

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left onto Railroad Avenue

    2639 ft · 37 sec · Railroad Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right

    29 mi · 42 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 Rutherfordton 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
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Railroad Avenue
85.1 mi · 70%
Salem Parkway
4.67 mi · 4%
Green Street
0.67 mi · 1%
US 421 South
0.53 mi
North Main Street
0.52 mi
Cherry Street South
0.23 mi
Longest Stretch

Railroad Avenue

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.6 mi
108.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Claremont
01h 01m from Rutherfordton
Leave By
2:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rutherfordton and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Winston-Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 121.1 miles (194.9 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?

Claremont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.5 miles from Rutherfordton and 60.6 miles from Winston-Salem.

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

The direct path is about 108.5 miles (174.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 2:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.91 one way or $33.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rutherfordton and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Winston-Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Claremont

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

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

RAIL

Gastonia

50 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Kannapolis

53 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Charlotte

60 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Salisbury

62 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rutherfordton and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 108.5 mi (174.62 km).

Rutherfordton

#1 Rutherfordton

Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States

Population4,090
Coordinates35.3692900, -81.9567700
Altitude295
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: North Main Street (-81.956805, 35.369295)
End: North Main Street (-80.244255, 36.099856)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.27 gal
16.17 L · about $16.91
Round trip
$33.83
8.54 gal · 32.34 L
Estimated CO2
37.9 kg one way
Round trip: 75.9 kg / 167 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $16.91 $33.83
Mid-grade $4.43 $18.91 $37.82
Premium $4.78 $20.40 $40.80
Diesel $5.62 $24.01 $48.03

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Rutherfordton and Winston-Salem. The current time is 21:37:01.

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.