How far is Waynesville, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance from Waynesville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m 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 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.
Human settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waynesville and Winston-Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesville and Winston-Salem.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Main Street
16 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street
2331 ft · 41 sec · North Main Street
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5
Continue on Asheville Road
1882 ft · 32 sec · Asheville Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Asheville Road
34 m · 2 sec · Asheville Road
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7
Exit the rotary onto Asheville Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Asheville Road
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8
Take the ramp left
636 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
160.4 mi · 3 hr 5 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
2800 ft · 37 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Marshall Street, TO Cherry Street
582 ft · 14 sec
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14
Continue on High Street Southwest
140 m · 15 sec · High Street Southwest
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15
Turn left onto Cherry Street South
1223 ft · 27 sec · Cherry Street South
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16
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
901 ft · 25 sec · West 2nd Street
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17
Turn left onto North Main Street
1314 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waynesville 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 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
160 mi · 03h 05m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waynesville and Mostly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waynesville to Winston-Salem?
The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Drexel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.3 miles from Waynesville and 86.6 miles from Winston-Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 12:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.16 one way or $48.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waynesville and Mostly Sunny near Winston-Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Drexel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Casar Park, Town Hall, & Veterans Memorial
City of Lenoir
Longview Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Drexel.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Spartanburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waynesville and Winston-Salem. Straight-line distance: 159.49 mi (256.68 km).
#1 Waynesville
City in North Carolina
| Population | 10,557 |
| Coordinates | 35.4887100, -82.9887500 |
| Altitude | 837 |
| 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: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.16 | $48.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.02 | $54.03 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.15 | $58.29 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.31 | $68.61 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.