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

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Kenly, NC is about 142.4 miles (229.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.7 miles (199.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
142.37 mi
02h 54m
Flight
123.73 mi
199.12 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winston-Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.73 mi
Kilometers
199.12 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.37 mi
Kilometers
229.13 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 02h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kenly
Sun, May 3, 7:44 AM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Sun, May 3, 10:38 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-05-03T04:50
Arrive Kenly
Sun, May 3, 7:44 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winston-Salem
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Pittsboro
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Winston-Salem
71.1 mi
01h 27m
To Kenly
71.3 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
41°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Turn left

    1351 ft · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    9.8 mi · 11 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 301: Kenly, Wilson

    1438 ft · 35 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South Church Street

    2674 ft · 1 min · South Church Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    13 m · 3 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
27.9 mi · 20%
US 421 South
26.3 mi · 18%
Triangle Expressway
22.3 mi · 16%
US 64
21.3 mi · 15%
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi · 13%
I 73 South
12.2 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

US 421 South

Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford

26.3 mi · 00h 32m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
123.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pittsboro
01h 27m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
12:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Clear near Kenly.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 142.4 miles (229.1 km) and usually takes 02h 54m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Pittsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Winston-Salem and 71.3 miles from Kenly.

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

The direct path is about 123.7 miles (199.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.88 one way or $39.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Pittsboro

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 Pittsboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 8.8 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Chapel Hill , NC
58 Chapelton Court #140, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.5/5 481 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Carrboro Town Hall
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

Carrboro Town Hall

Carrboro , NC
301 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
Rating 4.1/5 7 reviews City Hall
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 12.6 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 Pittsboro.

RAIL

Cary

37 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

39 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

43 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Burlington

48 mi away
101 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Kenly. Straight-line distance: 123.73 mi (199.12 km).

Winston-Salem

#1 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

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

#2 Kenly

Town of the United States

Population1,624
Coordinates35.5962700, -78.1241600
Altitude59
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Kenly (-78.12416, 35.59627)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.02 gal
19.02 L · about $19.88
Round trip
$39.77
10.04 gal · 38.04 L
Estimated CO2
44.6 kg one way
Round trip: 89.2 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.88 $39.77
Mid-grade $4.43 $22.23 $44.47
Premium $4.78 $23.99 $47.97
Diesel $5.62 $28.23 $56.46

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Kenly. The current time is 04:50:31.

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.