How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Carolina Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is about 239.8 miles (385.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195 miles (313.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Harnett County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winston-Salem and Carolina Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Carolina Beach.
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1
Start on North Main Street
2610 ft · 59 sec · North Main Street
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2
Take the ramp sharp left toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
917 ft · 22 sec
-
3
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Salem Parkway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Salem Parkway
16 mi · 19 min · Salem Parkway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
12.2 mi · 13 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford
1133 ft · 28 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford
26.3 mi · 32 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
1413 ft · 42 sec
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9
Turn left
10.9 mi · 15 min
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10
Keep slight left
21 mi · 27 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South
2827 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington
2538 ft · 49 sec
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14
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 53 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
17
Continue on North College Road
9.4 mi · 16 min · North College Road
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18
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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19
Continue on North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
-
20
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Carolina Beach.
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
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Winston-Salem and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to Carolina Beach?
The road trip is about 239.8 miles (385.9 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Angier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.9 miles from Winston-Salem and 119.9 miles from Carolina Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195 miles (313.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.8 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 7:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.51 one way or $67.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Winston-Salem and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Angier
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Garner Town Hall
Clayton Utilities
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Angier.
Cary
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Carolina Beach. Straight-line distance: 194.97 mi (313.78 km).
#1 Winston-Salem
The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
| Population | 248,112 |
| Coordinates | 36.0998600, -80.2442200 |
| Altitude | 293 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Beach (-77.8936, 34.03517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 386 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.51 | $67.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $37.47 | $74.94 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $40.42 | $80.84 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $47.58 | $95.16 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.