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

The driving distance from Winston-Salem, NC to Zebulon, NC is about 126 miles (202.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.5 miles (176.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126.01 mi
02h 29m
Flight
109.57 mi
176.34 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winston-Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.57 mi
Kilometers
176.34 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.01 mi
Kilometers
202.79 km
Drive Time
02h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Zebulon
Sun, May 31, 2:51 PM EDT
Return by in Winston-Salem
Sun, May 31, 5:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winston-Salem
2026-05-31T12:22
Arrive Zebulon
Sun, May 31, 2:51 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winston-Salem
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Hillsborough
NC

Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States

From Winston-Salem
62.9 mi
01h 14m
To Zebulon
63.1 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    30.3 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest

    2664 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    9.2 mi · 12 min

  12. 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

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    15.7 mi · 17 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    1743 ft · 43 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    47 m · 4 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto North Arendell Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Arendell Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Arendell Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
76.6 mi · 61%
Salem Parkway
18.4 mi · 15%
I 87 North
16.8 mi · 13%
I 440 East
9.7 mi · 8%
Wade Avenue
3.1 mi · 2%
North Arendell Avenue
0.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Keep slight left

36.8 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.5 mi
109.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillsborough
01h 14m from Winston-Salem
Leave By
1:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Winston-Salem and Mostly Sunny near Zebulon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 126 miles (202.8 km) and usually takes 02h 29m 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?

Hillsborough is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Winston-Salem and 63.1 miles from Zebulon.

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

The direct path is about 109.5 miles (176.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 1:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.63 one way or $35.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Hillsborough

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 Hillsborough and the surrounding midpoint area.
Burlington City Switchboard
Scenic stop 14.8 mi away

Burlington City Switchboard

Burlington , NC
425 S Lexington Ave, Burlington, NC 27215, United States
Rating 4.0/5 1 reviews Park,City government office
Carrboro Town Hall
Meeting point 12.4 mi away

Carrboro Town Hall

Carrboro , NC
301 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
Rating 4.1/5 7 reviews City Hall
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 14.5 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsborough.

RAIL

Durham

19 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Burlington

30 mi away
101 North Main Street
RAIL

Cary

43 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

47 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winston-Salem and Zebulon. Straight-line distance: 109.57 mi (176.34 km).

Winston-Salem

#1 Winston-Salem

The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.

Population248,112
Coordinates36.0998600, -80.2442200
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Zebulon

#2 Zebulon

City in Pike County, Georgia, United States

Population6,514
Coordinates35.8243200, -78.3147200
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Start: Winston-Salem (-80.24422, 36.09986)
End: Zebulon (-78.31472, 35.82432)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.83 L · about $17.63
Round trip
$35.25
8.9 gal · 33.66 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.63 $35.25
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.71 $39.42
Premium $4.78 $21.26 $42.52
Diesel $5.62 $25.03 $50.05

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

There is no time difference between Winston-Salem and Zebulon. The current time is 12:22:41.

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.