How far is Waxhaw, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Waxhaw, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 102.5 miles (165 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m 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 43m.
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.
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waxhaw and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waxhaw and Winston-Salem.
-
1
Start on East South Main Street
19 m · 5 sec · East South Main Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Broome Street
130 m · 14 sec · North Broome Street
-
3
Turn right onto McDonald Street
82 m · 5 sec · McDonald Street
-
4
Continue on Howie Mine Road
3049 ft · 1 min · Howie Mine Road
-
5
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
4.4 mi · 8 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
38 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
2.6 mi · 5 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
-
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
32 m · 2 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
1712 ft · 35 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
-
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Traffic Circle
39 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
-
11
Exit the rotary onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
-
12
Turn left onto Old Monroe Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Monroe Road
-
13
Continue on East John Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East John Street
-
14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 485 Outer North
2173 ft · 53 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Governor James G Martin Freeway
20.9 mi · 22 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 85: Spartanburg, Greensboro
980 ft · 24 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro
1 km · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left onto Jeff Gordon Expressway
38.9 mi · 44 min · Jeff Gordon Expressway
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
4.1 mi · 4 min
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem
21.6 mi · 25 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward US 158 West, US 421 North: Salem Parkway
975 ft · 28 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
2199 ft · 34 sec · Salem Parkway
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1174 ft · 29 sec
-
24
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
2161 ft · 44 sec · South Main Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waxhaw 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.
Jeff Gordon Expressway
Merge slight left onto Jeff Gordon Expressway
38.9 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waxhaw and Partly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waxhaw to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 102.5 miles (165 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?
Kannapolis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51 miles from Waxhaw and 51.5 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 3:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.34 one way or $28.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waxhaw and Partly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Kannapolis
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 Kannapolis.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Charlotte
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waxhaw and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 85.92 mi (138.27 km).
#1 Waxhaw
Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 17,987 |
| Coordinates | 34.9245900, -80.7434000 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 165 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.34 | $28.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.03 | $32.07 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.30 | $34.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.36 | $40.72 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.