How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Elm City, NC?

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Elm City, NC is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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
154.9 mi
03h 06m
Flight
134.69 mi
216.77 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
134.69 mi
Kilometers
216.77 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.9 mi
Kilometers
249.29 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elm City
Thu, Apr 23, 10:04 AM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Thu, Apr 23, 1:11 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-04-23T06:57
Arrive Elm City
Thu, Apr 23, 10:04 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 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
10:46 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Carrboro
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Winston-Salem
77.4 mi
01h 33m
To Elm City
77.5 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Elm City.

  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 right

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 264 Alternate East: Wilson

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    4.1 mi · 6 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Airport Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Lake Wilson Road

    5 mi · 9 min · Lake Wilson Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Tolsnot Street

    155 m · 11 sec · Tolsnot Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2207 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Parker Street

    14 m · 1 sec · Parker Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Parker Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
76.6 mi · 49%
I 87 North
34.2 mi · 22%
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi · 12%
I 440 East
9.7 mi · 6%
Lake Wilson Road
5 mi · 3%
Wade Avenue
3.1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Keep slight left

36.8 mi · 00h 43m

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 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
134.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carrboro
01h 33m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
10:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Sunny near Elm City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?

Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.4 miles from Winston-Salem and 77.5 miles from Elm City.

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

The direct path is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 10:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.67 one way or $43.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Winston-Salem and Sunny near Elm City.

Stop Ideas Near Carrboro

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 Carrboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 3.9 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
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 12.9 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
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 6.4 mi away

Durham County Inspections Department

Durham , NC
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 3.5/5 15 reviews City government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 6 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Durham

18 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Cary

30 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

36 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Burlington

38 mi away
101 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Elm City. Straight-line distance: 134.69 mi (216.77 km).

Winston-Salem

#1 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

Population248,112
Coordinates36.0998600, -80.2442200
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Elm City

#2 Elm City

City in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,296
Coordinates35.8065500, -77.8633200
Altitude41
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Elm City (-77.86332, 35.80655)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 249 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.47 gal
20.69 L · about $21.67
Round trip
$43.33
10.94 gal · 41.38 L
Estimated CO2
48.6 kg one way
Round trip: 97.2 kg / 214 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $21.67 $43.33
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.23 $48.45
Premium $4.78 $26.14 $52.27
Diesel $5.62 $30.76 $61.53

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Elm City. The current time is 06:57:33.

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.