How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Mars Hill, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Mars Hill, NC is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.3 miles (209.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winston-Salem and Mars Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Mars Hill.
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1
Start on North Main Street
1848 ft · 41 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto West 1st Street
1168 ft · 31 sec · West 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Marshall Street South
92 m · 5 sec · Marshall Street South
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 158 West, US 421 North, NC 150 West
804 ft · 20 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 40: Greensboro, Statesville
1 km · 44 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Statesville
1505 ft · 20 sec
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8
Merge slight left
134 mi · 2 hr 32 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 25
787 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn left onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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12
Turn straight
77 m · 10 sec
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13
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
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14
Take the ramp right
1885 ft · 46 sec
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15
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
12.2 mi · 15 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward NC 213: Mars Hill, Marshall
1533 ft · 39 sec
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18
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 3 min
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cascade Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Mars Hill.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Mars Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to Mars Hill?
The road trip is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Rutherford College is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.1 miles from Winston-Salem and 81.3 miles from Mars Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.3 miles (209.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.1 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 10:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.70 one way or $45.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Mars Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Rutherford College
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rutherford College.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Spartanburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Mars Hill. Straight-line distance: 130.28 mi (209.67 km).
#1 Winston-Salem
The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
| Population | 248,112 |
| Coordinates | 36.0998600, -80.2442200 |
| Altitude | 293 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Mars Hill
Town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,881 |
| Coordinates | 35.8265000, -82.5493000 |
| Altitude | 704 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mars Hill (-82.5493, 35.8265)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.70 | $45.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.23 | $64.45 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.