How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Morehead City, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Morehead City, NC is about 249.8 miles (402 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.8 miles (353.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m 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 05h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Park in the United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winston-Salem and Morehead City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Morehead City.
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1
Start on North Main Street
2610 ft · 59 sec · North Main Street
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2
Take the ramp sharp left toward US 158 East, US 421 South, NC 150 East
917 ft · 22 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Salem Parkway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Salem Parkway
16 mi · 19 min · Salem Parkway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
12.2 mi · 13 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Sanford
1133 ft · 28 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 421 South: Sanford
26.3 mi · 32 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
1413 ft · 42 sec
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9
Turn left
10.9 mi · 15 min
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10
Keep slight left
21 mi · 27 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South
2827 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway
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13
Keep slight left
1648 ft · 40 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 42 East: Smithfield
2526 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8.7 mi · 9 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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16
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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17
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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18
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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19
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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20
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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21
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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22
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.8 mi · 50 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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24
Turn left onto North 18th Street
57 m · 8 sec · North 18th Street
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25
Turn right
75 m · 18 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Morehead City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Freedom Memorial Bridge
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.8 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to Morehead City?
The road trip is about 249.8 miles (402 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?
Wilsons Mills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.8 miles from Winston-Salem and 125 miles from Morehead City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.8 miles (353.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 6:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.90 one way or $69.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Stop Ideas Near Wilsons Mills
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 Wilsons Mills.
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Goldsboro, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Morehead City. Straight-line distance: 219.75 mi (353.66 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 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Morehead City (-76.72604, 34.72294)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.90 | $69.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $39.02 | $78.04 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $42.09 | $84.19 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $49.55 | $99.09 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.