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

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Richlands, NC is about 204.9 miles (329.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
204.95 mi
04h 07m
Flight
172.92 mi
278.29 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winston-Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
172.92 mi
Kilometers
278.29 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
204.95 mi
Kilometers
329.84 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 04h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Richlands
Thu, Apr 16, 1:41 PM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Thu, Apr 16, 5:48 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-04-16T09:33
Arrive Richlands
Thu, Apr 16, 1:41 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:44 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winston-Salem
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Holly Springs
NC

City in and county seat of Marshall County, Mississippi, United States

From Winston-Salem
102.4 mi
02h 03m
To Richlands
102.5 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph SW
Destination
92°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington

    2538 ft · 49 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.3 km · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville

    1701 ft · 48 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass

    6 mi · 8 min · South Kenansville Bypass

  19. 19

    Turn right

    23 mi · 33 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Franck Street

    2301 ft · 1 min · West Franck Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

    58 m · 5 sec · South Wilmington Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Wilmington Street

Car Route Details

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

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
60.9 mi · 30%
US 421 South
26.3 mi · 13%
Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 11%
US 64
21.3 mi · 10%
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi · 9%
I 73 South
12.2 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

59.6 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32 mi
172.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Holly Springs
02h 03m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
8:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Richlands.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 204.9 miles (329.8 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Holly Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.4 miles from Winston-Salem and 102.5 miles from Richlands.

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

The direct path is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 32 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 8:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.64 one way or $57.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Holly Springs

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 Holly Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 3.7 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 6.6 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 11.7 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 8.6 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Holly Springs.

RAIL

Cary

16 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

20 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

22 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

39 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Richlands. Straight-line distance: 172.92 mi (278.29 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 Richlands

Township in Onslow County, North Carolina

Population1,689
Coordinates34.8993300, -77.5466300
Altitude18
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Richlands (-77.54663, 34.89933)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 330 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.23 gal
27.38 L · about $28.64
Round trip
$57.28
14.46 gal · 54.76 L
Estimated CO2
64.3 kg one way
Round trip: 128.5 kg / 283 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $28.64 $57.28
Mid-grade $4.43 $32.02 $64.04
Premium $4.78 $34.54 $69.09
Diesel $5.62 $40.66 $81.32

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Richlands. The current time is 09:33:50.

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.