How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Lake Lure, NC?

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Lake Lure, NC is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.3 miles (192 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
139.29 mi
02h 54m
Flight
119.32 mi
192.03 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
119.32 mi
Kilometers
192.03 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.29 mi
Kilometers
224.17 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 Lake Lure
Sat, Apr 18, 8:03 AM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 10:57 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-04-18T05:09
Arrive Lake Lure
Sat, Apr 18, 8:03 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
Brookford
NC

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

From Winston-Salem
69.6 mi
01h 27m
To Lake Lure
69.7 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 10 mph W
Destination
88°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Lake Lure.

  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

    102.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 221: Marion, Rutherfordton

    1132 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street

    831 ft · 13 sec · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on US 221

    3.9 mi · 5 min · US 221

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Mud Cut Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Mud Cut Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Sugar Hill Road

    140 m · 7 sec · Sugar Hill Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Montford Cove Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Montford Cove Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Cove Road

    6.2 mi · 10 min · Cove Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Freeman Town Road

    1.1 km · 3 min · Freeman Town Road

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on McEntire Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · McEntire Road

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto McEntire Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · McEntire Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Chimney Rock Road

    5.8 mi · 9 min · Chimney Rock Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Memorial Highway

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Memorial Highway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Memorial Highway

Car Route Details

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

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
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
103 mi · 74%
Cove Road
6.19 mi · 4%
Chimney Rock Road
5.79 mi · 4%
Salem Parkway
4.51 mi · 3%
Montford Cove Road
4.11 mi · 3%
US 221
4.1 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Merge slight left

102 mi · 01h 55m

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
+20 mi
119.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brookford
01h 27m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
12:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Lake Lure.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 139.3 miles (224.2 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?

Brookford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.6 miles from Winston-Salem and 69.7 miles from Lake Lure.

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

The direct path is about 119.3 miles (192 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 $19.49 one way or $38.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Brookford

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Brookford, 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 Brookford.

RAIL

Gastonia

51 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Kannapolis

69 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Charlotte

70 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Salisbury

80 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Lake Lure. Straight-line distance: 119.32 mi (192.03 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 Lake Lure

Town in North Carolina

Population1,153
Coordinates35.4279000, -82.2048300
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Lake Lure (-82.20483, 35.4279)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 224 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.92 gal
18.61 L · about $19.49
Round trip
$38.98
9.84 gal · 37.22 L
Estimated CO2
43.7 kg one way
Round trip: 87.4 kg / 193 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.49 $38.98
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.79 $43.58
Premium $4.78 $23.51 $47.02
Diesel $5.62 $27.67 $55.34

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Lake Lure. The current time is 05:09:12.

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.