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

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to James City, NC is about 216 miles (347.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 193.4 miles (311.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 36m 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
215.96 mi
04h 18m
Flight
193.36 mi
311.18 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
193.36 mi
Kilometers
311.18 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
215.96 mi
Kilometers
347.55 km
Drive Time
04h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in James City
Mon, May 25, 1:10 PM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Mon, May 25, 5:28 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-05-25T08:52
Arrive James City
Mon, May 25, 1:10 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 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
8:24 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
Garner
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Winston-Salem
107.9 mi
02h 09m
To James City
108.1 mi
02h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Memorial Day

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph SW
Destination
James City Weather
NC
Live fallback forecast
85°F
Memorial Day
Using Washington as the closest live forecast in the North Carolina weather hub.

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and James 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 left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham

    12.2 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford

    1133 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford

    26.3 mi · 32 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro

    1413 ft · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left

    10.9 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    21 mi · 27 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South

    2827 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1648 ft · 40 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 42 East: Smithfield

    2526 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    8.7 mi · 9 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    7.6 mi · 10 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    14.3 mi · 19 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Continue on Goldsboro Bypass

    19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    11.5 mi · 13 min

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto West New Bern Road

    3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road

  22. 22

    Continue on East New Bern Road

    33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge

  24. 24

    Continue straight

    2897 ft · 52 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 15%
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
32.7 mi · 15%
Goldsboro Bypass
31.3 mi · 14%
US 421 South
26.3 mi · 12%
Triangle Expressway
22.3 mi · 10%
US 64
21.3 mi · 10%
Longest Stretch

East New Bern Road

Continue on East New Bern Road

33.4 mi · 00h 37m

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 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.6 mi
193.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Garner
02h 09m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
8:24 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Winston-Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near James City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 216 miles (347.6 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?

Garner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.9 miles from Winston-Salem and 108.1 miles from James City.

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

The direct path is about 193.4 miles (311.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 8:24 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.18 one way or $60.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Winston-Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near James City.

Stop Ideas Near Garner

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 Garner and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 8.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 5.1 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Town of Cary
Meeting point 13 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
Town Hall Commons
Nearby stop 10.6 mi away

Town Hall Commons

Holly Springs , NC
242 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.5/5 17 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

7 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

12 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

17 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

36 mi away
500 East Railroad Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and James City. Straight-line distance: 193.36 mi (311.18 km).

Winston-Salem

#1 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

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

#2 James City

Census designated place

Population5,899
Coordinates35.0887700, -77.0349500
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: James City (-77.03495, 35.08877)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 348 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.62 gal
28.85 L · about $30.18
Round trip
$60.37
15.24 gal · 57.7 L
Estimated CO2
67.7 kg one way
Round trip: 135.4 kg / 299 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $30.18 $60.37
Mid-grade $4.43 $33.75 $67.50
Premium $4.78 $36.41 $72.82
Diesel $5.62 $42.85 $85.71

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and James City. The current time is 08:52:32.

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.