How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Surf City, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Surf City, NC is about 231 miles (371.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 191.1 miles (307.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m 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 44m.
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
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 Surf City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Surf 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
-
10
Keep slight left
21 mi · 27 min
-
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 right to continue on I 40 East: Wilmington
2538 ft · 49 sec
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14
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 53 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
1701 ft · 48 sec
-
18
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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19
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
1.5 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
-
20
Turn right
10.6 mi · 15 min
-
21
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
22
Turn right
3 mi · 4 min
-
23
Continue on Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi · 13 min · Cypress Creek Road
-
24
Turn left onto Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Sycamore Springs Road
-
25
Continue on Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Maple Hill Road North
-
26
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
-
27
Turn right
16.6 mi · 24 min
-
28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
35 m · 2 sec
-
29
Exit the roundabout
1.3 km · 2 min
-
30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North New River Drive
69 m · 5 sec · North New River Drive
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31
Exit the roundabout onto North New River Drive
38 m · 3 sec · North New River Drive
-
32
Continue on North New River Drive
62 m · 10 sec · North New River Drive
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33
Turn left onto Roland Avenue
33 m · 12 sec · Roland Avenue
-
34
Continue on Roland Avenue
23 m · 2 sec · Roland Avenue
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Roland Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Surf City.
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 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.
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 Surf City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to Surf City?
The road trip is about 231 miles (371.8 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Clayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.5 miles from Winston-Salem and 115.5 miles from Surf City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 191.1 miles (307.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 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 7:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.28 one way or $64.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Surf City.
Stop Ideas Near Clayton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Clayton Utilities
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clayton.
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Surf City. Straight-line distance: 191.11 mi (307.56 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 Surf City
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey
| Population | 2,532 |
| Coordinates | 34.4271100, -77.5460800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Surf City (-77.54608, 34.42711)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 372 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $32.28 | $64.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.10 | $72.19 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.94 | $77.88 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $45.84 | $91.67 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.