How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Nags Head, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Nags Head, NC is about 298.9 miles (481 km), with a travel time of about 05h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 258.3 miles (415.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 56m 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 58m.
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 North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winston-Salem and Nags Head.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Nags Head.
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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 right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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6
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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7
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.1 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue
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10
Take the exit slight left toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
2664 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
1.2 km · 58 sec
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13
Merge slight right
16.8 mi · 18 min
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14
Keep slight left
79.6 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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15
Turn right
20.2 mi · 29 min
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16
Continue on United States Highway 64 East
1 mi · 2 min · United States Highway 64 East
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17
Continue on U.S. Highway 64 East
2.3 mi · 3 min · U.S. Highway 64 East
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18
Continue on United States Highway 64 East
39.5 mi · 47 min · United States Highway 64 East
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19
Keep slight right
26.2 mi · 36 min
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20
Continue on South Virginia Dare Trail
157 m · 11 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
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21
Continue on South Croatan Highway
3.8 mi · 6 min · South Croatan Highway
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22
Turn right onto East Soundside Road
144 m · 26 sec · East Soundside Road
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23
Turn left onto South Virginia Dare Trail
24 m · 2 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Nags Head.
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 87 North
Keep slight left
79.6 mi · 01h 26m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Nags Head.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to Nags Head?
The road trip is about 298.9 miles (481 km) and usually takes 05h 58m 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?
Nashville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.2 miles from Winston-Salem and 149.6 miles from Nags Head.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 258.3 miles (415.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.6 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 5:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.79 one way or $83.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Winston-Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Nags Head.
Stop Ideas Near Nashville
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 Nashville.
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Nags Head. Straight-line distance: 258.32 mi (415.73 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 Nags Head
City in Dare County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,997 |
| Coordinates | 35.9573900, -75.6240600 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nags Head (-75.62406, 35.95739)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 481 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $41.79 | $83.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $46.73 | $93.45 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $50.41 | $100.82 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $59.33 | $118.67 |
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.