How far is Winston-Salem, NC from River Bend, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to River Bend, NC is about 216.2 miles (348 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188 miles (302.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m 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 04h 21m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winston-Salem and River Bend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and River Bend.
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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
-
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
26.5 mi · 29 min · East New Bern Road
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23
Take the exit slight right
2601 ft · 49 sec
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24
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 Business
1.5 km · 2 min
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26
At the end of the road, turn left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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27
Turn right onto Shoreline Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shoreline Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and River Bend.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East New Bern Road
Continue on East New Bern Road
26.5 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Rain Showers near River Bend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to River Bend?
The road trip is about 216.2 miles (348 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?
Garner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108 miles from Winston-Salem and 108.2 miles from River Bend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188 miles (302.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 8:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.22 one way or $60.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Winston-Salem and Rain Showers near River Bend.
Stop Ideas Near Garner
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Town of Cary
Town Hall Commons
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Garner.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and River Bend. Straight-line distance: 188.04 mi (302.62 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 River Bend
City in Craven County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 3,006 |
| Coordinates | 35.0690500, -77.1469000 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Bend (-77.1469, 35.06905)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 348 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.22 | $60.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $33.79 | $67.59 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $36.46 | $72.91 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $42.91 | $85.82 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.