How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Waxhaw, NC?
The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Waxhaw, NC is about 102.3 miles (164.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winston-Salem and Waxhaw.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winston-Salem and Waxhaw.
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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
1415 ft · 22 sec · Salem Parkway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 South: Lexington
1258 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway
21.5 mi · 24 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
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6
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 4 min
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7
Merge slight left
4 mi · 4 min
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8
Continue straight
34.9 mi · 38 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 485 Inner, I 485 Outer: Matthews, Huntersville
1257 ft · 31 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 485 South Inner: Matthews
1.3 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway
19.4 mi · 21 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway
2790 ft · 34 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East: Monroe
1337 ft · 44 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto East Independence Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Independence Boulevard
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Independence Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Independence Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto North Indian Trail Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Indian Trail Road
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17
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Traffic Circle
32 m · 2 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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19
Exit the rotary onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
1720 ft · 36 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
38 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
39 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
4.4 mi · 8 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
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24
Continue on Howie Mine Road
1 km · 1 min · Howie Mine Road
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25
Turn left onto North Broome Street
130 m · 19 sec · North Broome Street
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26
Turn left onto East South Main Street
19 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winston-Salem and Waxhaw.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John Gold Memorial Expressway
Continue straight
34.9 mi · 00h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waxhaw.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winston-Salem to Waxhaw?
The road trip is about 102.3 miles (164.6 km) and usually takes 02h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kannapolis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.2 miles from Winston-Salem and 51.1 miles from Waxhaw.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.30 one way or $28.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Winston-Salem and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waxhaw.
Stop Ideas Near Kannapolis
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 Kannapolis.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Charlotte
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Waxhaw. Straight-line distance: 85.92 mi (138.27 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 Waxhaw
Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 17,987 |
| Coordinates | 34.9245900, -80.7434000 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waxhaw (-80.7434, 34.92459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 165 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.99 | $31.98 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.25 | $34.50 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.30 | $40.61 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.