How far is Wake Forest, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Wake Forest, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 103.3 miles (166.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.2 miles (156.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 39m 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 01h 49m.
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.
City in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wake Forest and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wake Forest and Winston-Salem.
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1
Start on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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2
Continue on East South Avenue
119 m · 13 sec · East South Avenue
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · South Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue
812 ft · 30 sec · South Avenue
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5
Continue on Durham Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Durham Road
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6
Continue on Durham Road
9 mi · 12 min · Durham Road
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7
Continue on Wake Forest Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · Wake Forest Highway
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8
Continue on Holloway Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · Holloway Street
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9
Take the exit right toward I 885 North, US 70 West: Greensboro
1425 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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11
Keep slight left
42.3 mi · 49 min
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12
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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13
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Salem Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1174 ft · 29 sec
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16
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
2161 ft · 44 sec · South Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wake Forest and Winston-Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 885 North
Keep slight left
42.3 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Sunny leaving Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 103.3 miles (166.2 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?
Haw River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.6 miles from Wake Forest and 51.7 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.2 miles (156.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 2:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.46 one way or $28.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wake Forest and Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Haw River
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Graham City Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Haw River.
Burlington
Durham
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Danville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wake Forest and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 97.26 mi (156.52 km).
#1 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| 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: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.46 | $28.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.17 | $32.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.44 | $34.88 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.53 | $41.06 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.