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

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Franklin, NC is about 210.4 miles (338.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 187.2 miles (301.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
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
210.42 mi
04h 14m
Flight
187.21 mi
301.29 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
187.21 mi
Kilometers
301.29 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
210.42 mi
Kilometers
338.64 km
Drive Time
04h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Wed, May 13, 2:45 AM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Wed, May 13, 6:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-05-12T22:30
Arrive Franklin
Wed, May 13, 2:45 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM EDT

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

Leave by
8:32 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
Marion
NC

City in McDowell County, North Carolina, U.

From Winston-Salem
105.1 mi
02h 07m
To Franklin
105.3 mi
02h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph E
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    25.5 mi · 32 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta

    22 mi · 29 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 23 South, US 441 South: Dillsboro, Franklin, Atlanta

    2364 ft · 45 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    16.5 mi · 23 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Northeast Main Street

    2239 ft · 58 sec · Northeast Main Street

  16. 16

    Continue on East Main Street

    1282 ft · 59 sec · East Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Iotla Street

    55 m · 8 sec · Iotla Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Iotla Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
160 mi · 76%
US 74 West
22 mi · 10%
US 23 South
17 mi · 8%
Salem Parkway
4.51 mi · 2%
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
4.39 mi · 2%
East Main Street
1.01 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
04h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.2 mi
187.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marion
02h 07m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
8:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 210.4 miles (338.6 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?

Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from Winston-Salem and 105.3 miles from Franklin.

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

The direct path is about 187.2 miles (301.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 8:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.43 one way or $58.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Marion

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marion, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Spartanburg

81 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Gastonia

89 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Greenville

99 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Charlotte

118 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 187.21 mi (301.29 km).

Winston-Salem

#1 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

Population248,112
Coordinates36.0998600, -80.2442200
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population4,121
Coordinates35.1823200, -83.3815400
Altitude646
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Franklin (-83.38154, 35.18232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 339 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.43 gal
28.11 L · about $29.43
Round trip
$58.86
14.86 gal · 56.22 L
Estimated CO2
66 kg one way
Round trip: 132.1 kg / 291 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $29.43 $58.86
Mid-grade $4.43 $32.91 $65.81
Premium $4.78 $35.50 $71.00
Diesel $5.62 $41.79 $83.57

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Franklin. The current time is 22:30:31.

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.