Driving and Transit in Winston-Salem
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around Winston-Salem really takes.
Rachael, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Some people collect stamps. Vanessa collects zip codes. After 13 moves (including one four-day, five-kid, one-puppy odyssey from Washington to North Carolina), she’s learned that relocation is equal parts logistics and comedy. Now settled in Winston-Salem, she’s fallen for the BBQ, the breeze, and how everyone waves like they’ve known you since kindergarten. Her claim to fame? She once sat on Shamu. Her real skill? Turning past moving trauma into local wisdom and relocation knowledge. As a Snappy Scout editor, she mixes mom-level multitasking with cross-country survival instincts to help newcomers settle into the Tar Heel life without losing their minds.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around Winston-Salem?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is
a breezy 15 minutes (on a bad day)
Traffic congestion areas to avoid
Business 40 during literally any hour that humans are awake
Ability to get around without a car
Technically possible if you enjoy two hour walks to get groceries
Locals dream of driving around in a
vintage pickup truck that screams Old Money tobacco baron
The reality is that most locals drive
a sensible Honda CR-V with Wake Forest bumper stickers
Quirky local driving habit is
treating yellow lights as pushy suggestions to floor it
The likelihood of finding parking is
pleasantly simple unless you're trying to park downtown on First Friday
#1 driving tip
avoid Peters Creek Parkway when possible (it backs up faster than you'd think)
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
Clemmons Library has been unfailingly quiet for us. There are plenty of study spots and endless book stacks, but there are usually only a handful of people there (at least from our experience). The kid corner is equally quaint and quiet, with just enough things for the kids to do to keep them busy for an hour when the weather isn't cooperating.
— Rachael Riner
North Carolina Local Expert
Ready to See If Winston-Salem Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full Winston-Salem guide for the bigger picture.