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

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Bethel, NC is about 187.9 miles (302.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.6 miles (260 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
187.9 mi
03h 38m
Flight
161.53 mi
259.95 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winston-Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.53 mi
Kilometers
259.95 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.9 mi
Kilometers
302.39 km
Drive Time
03h 38m

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 03h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethel
Sun, Apr 19, 4:36 AM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Sun, Apr 19, 8:15 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-04-19T00:58
Arrive Bethel
Sun, Apr 19, 4:36 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:44 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winston-Salem
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Cary
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Winston-Salem
93.8 mi
01h 49m
To Bethel
94.1 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W
Destination
83°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    2610 ft · 59 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp sharp left toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East

    917 ft · 22 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Salem Parkway

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Salem Parkway

    16 mi · 19 min · Salem Parkway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    30.3 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest

    2664 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    9.2 mi · 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

    1.2 km · 58 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    16.8 mi · 18 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    59.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 13 South, NC 11: Bethel, Greenville

    1768 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    1074 ft · 21 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Railroad Street

    1721 ft · 1 min · West Railroad Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Smith Street

    29 m · 4 sec · Smith Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Smith Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Bethel.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
76.9 mi · 41%
I 40 East
76.6 mi · 41%
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi · 10%
I 440 East
9.7 mi · 5%
Wade Avenue
3.1 mi · 2%
North Main Street
0.49 mi
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

59.4 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 38m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.3 mi
161.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cary
01h 49m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
9:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Winston-Salem and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 187.9 miles (302.4 km) and usually takes 03h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Cary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Winston-Salem and 94.1 miles from Bethel.

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

The direct path is about 161.6 miles (260 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.26 one way or $52.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Winston-Salem and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethel.

Stop Ideas Near Cary

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Cary and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 11.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 12.3 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 3.4 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 3.2 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cary.

RAIL

Cary

211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

12 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

26 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Bethel. Straight-line distance: 161.53 mi (259.95 km).

Winston-Salem

#1 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

Population248,112
Coordinates36.0998600, -80.2442200
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Bethel

Town in Pitt County, North Carolina, USA

Population1,620
Coordinates35.8071000, -77.3788600
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Bethel (-77.37886, 35.8071)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.63 gal
25.1 L · about $26.26
Round trip
$52.52
13.26 gal · 50.2 L
Estimated CO2
58.9 kg one way
Round trip: 117.8 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.26 $52.52
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.36 $58.73
Premium $4.78 $31.68 $63.36
Diesel $5.62 $37.29 $74.57

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Bethel. The current time is 00:58:57.

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.