How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Cove Creek, NC?

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Cove Creek, NC is about 174 miles (280.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.6 miles (255.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m 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
174.06 mi
03h 24m
Flight
158.65 mi
255.33 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
158.65 mi
Kilometers
255.33 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.06 mi
Kilometers
280.12 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cove Creek
Wed, Apr 15, 4:52 AM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Wed, Apr 15, 8:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-04-15T01:28
Arrive Cove Creek
Wed, Apr 15, 4:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 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
10:12 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
Drexel
NC

Human settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Winston-Salem
86.9 mi
01h 42m
To Cove Creek
87.2 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Cove Creek.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1848 ft · 41 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 1st Street

    1168 ft · 31 sec · West 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Marshall Street South

    92 m · 5 sec · Marshall Street South

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 158 West, US 421 North, NC 150 West

    804 ft · 20 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40: Greensboro, Statesville

    1 km · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Statesville

    1505 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    134 mi · 2 hr 32 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    32.9 mi · 41 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 276: Waynesville, Maggie Valley

    132 m · 11 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    36 m · 3 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Jonathan Creek Road

    1785 ft · 30 sec · Jonathan Creek Road

  13. 13

    Turn right

    43 m · 5 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Cove Creek Road

    2835 ft · 1 min · Cove Creek Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cove Creek Road

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
167 mi · 96%
Salem Parkway
4.51 mi · 3%
I 40
0.63 mi
Cove Creek Road
0.54 mi
North Main Street
0.35 mi
Jonathan Creek Road
0.34 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Merge slight left

134 mi · 02h 32m

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 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.4 mi
158.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Drexel
01h 42m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
10:12 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Cove Creek.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174 miles (280.1 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?

Drexel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Winston-Salem and 87.2 miles from Cove Creek.

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

The direct path is about 158.6 miles (255.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:12 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.32 one way or $48.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Cove Creek.

Stop Ideas Near Drexel

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 Drexel and the surrounding midpoint area.
Casar Park, Town Hall, & Veterans Memorial
Scenic stop 14.7 mi away

Casar Park, Town Hall, & Veterans Memorial

Casar , NC
137 Deviney St, Casar, NC 28020, United States
Rating 4.6/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,City or town hall,Event venue,Memorial park,Picnic ground,Recreation center,Park
City of Lenoir
Meeting point 14.1 mi away

City of Lenoir

Lenoir , NC
801 West Ave NW, Lenoir, NC 28645
Rating 3.6/5 14 reviews City Hall,City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 14.3 mi away

Longview Town Hall

Hickory , NC
2404 1st Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Urban planning department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Gastonia

67 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Charlotte

91 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Kannapolis

93 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Spartanburg

94 mi away
290 Magnolia St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Cove Creek. Straight-line distance: 158.65 mi (255.33 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 Cove Creek

Cove Creek is a place in North Carolina, United States.

Population0
Coordinates35.6064900, -83.0112500
Altitude767
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Cove Creek (-83.01125, 35.60649)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.14 gal
23.25 L · about $24.32
Round trip
$48.64
12.28 gal · 46.5 L
Estimated CO2
54.6 kg one way
Round trip: 109.1 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.32 $48.64
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.19 $54.39
Premium $4.78 $29.34 $58.67
Diesel $5.62 $34.53 $69.06

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Cove Creek. The current time is 01:28:03.

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.