Winston-Salem's I-40, US 52 and Salem Parkway exits, WSTA buses, the airport and downtown parking: free on the street weekday evenings and weekends.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Exit names are from NCDOT’s interchange inventory; transit, parking and airport facts are from the Winston-Salem Transit Authority, the City of Winston-Salem and Piedmont Triad International Airport. For road work this week, see road construction and closures. CityLink: 311 or 336-727-8000.

Winston-Salem sits where I-40, I-74, US 52 and US 421 meet. Downtown, the old Business 40 is now Salem Parkway, carrying US 421, US 158 and NC 150 through the city center. The Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, NC 74 in NCDOT’s interchange list, runs around the north side of the city.

Who to call

  • City buses: Winston-Salem Transit Authority, 336-727-2000
  • Airport: Piedmont Triad International, 336-665-5600
  • Parking tickets and permits: CityLink, 311 or 336-727-8000
  • Live road conditions: dial 511 or see DriveNC.gov

Main roads and exits

Exit numbers and names below are from NCDOT’s traffic safety interchange inventory.

I-40 runs east-west across the south side of the city:

Exit Leads to
184 Lewisville-Clemmons Road
188 US 421
189 US 158/South Stratford Road
192 NC 150/Peters Creek Parkway
193 I-285
193C Silas Creek Parkway
195 NC 109/Thomasville Road
196 I-74
201 Union Cross Road

Salem Parkway (US 421/US 158/NC 150) through downtown:

Exit Leads to
230 US 158/Reidsville Road
231 East Fifth Street
232 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
233A South Main Street
233B Marshall and Cherry streets
234A Peters Creek Parkway
234B West First Street/Lockland Avenue
234C Cloverdale Avenue
235 US 158/South Stratford Road
236 Knollwood Street
237 Silas Creek Parkway

US 52 runs north-south through the city:

Exit Leads to
108B Research Parkway
109 Salem Parkway (US 421/US 158/NC 150)
110B Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Liberty Street
111 25th and 28th streets
113 North Patterson Avenue
114 NC 8/Germanton Road
115 University Parkway
116 West Hanes Mill Road

I-74 east of I-40 has exits at Ridgewood Road (56) and Union Cross Road (59). The Northern Beltway (NC 74) has exits at University Parkway (42), Baux Mountain Road (45), US 311/New Walkertown Road (49) and US 158/Reidsville Road (50).

City buses: WSTA

The Winston-Salem Transit Authority runs the city’s fixed-route buses, managed by RATP Dev USA, from its hub at 100 W. Fifth St. Routes were redrawn on Aug. 30, 2026; current route maps, fares, detours and the holiday schedule are on wstransit.com. Call customer service at 336-727-2000 with questions about a route.

  • Half fare: older and disabled riders may qualify for half-fare passes; apply through WSTA, according to its FAQ.
  • Trans-AID: WSTA’s shared-ride paratransit service for eligible older adults and riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed routes; book through 336-727-2000, according to the Trans-AID page.

Intercity buses

North Carolina’s intercity bus network stops at 100 W. Fifth St., reachable on WSTA buses. Four state-subsidized routes serve the city: the High Country Gateway, the Triad-Danville Connector, the Piedmont Pass and the Mid-State Express, plus unsubsidized carriers, according to WSTA.

The airport

Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) at 1000-A Ted Johnson Parkway in Greensboro is the region’s commercial airport; main number 336-665-5600. See flyfrompti.com for directions, parking and flights.

Biking and walking

Winston-Salem has more than 25 miles of greenways, and Bike Share stations at Salem Lake and the Gateway YWCA, according to the city’s greenways page, which also links the city’s marked bike routes. The 5.2-mile Salem Creek Greenway links Marketplace Mall, Washington Park, Old Salem and WSSU with Salem Lake. See parks and trails.

Downtown parking

From the city’s on-street, off-street and parking regulation pages:

  • On the street: more than 800 spaces downtown. Many take payment through the PayByPhone app; spaces without PayByPhone signs are limited to the time posted for the zone. On-street parking is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and all weekend.
  • City decks and lots: the 6th/Cherry/Trade parking deck charges by the hour on weekdays, with a flat daily rate on weekends and holidays and monthly passes. The Forsyth County Government Center surface lot and the City Hall South lot charge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and are free at other times and all weekend.
  • Note: the Fourth Street and Church Street deck is no longer owned or run by the city.
  • Enforcement: the city Department of Transportation enforces downtown parking. A vehicle with three unpaid tickets each more than 90 days old that is found parked illegally will be wheel-locked; pay all fines at the Revenue Office, Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First St.
  • Neighborhood permits: some streets near downtown use residential parking permits.

What this means for you

  • Park on the street downtown free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend.
  • For downtown, take Salem Parkway exits 232 to 234B.
  • Check road construction and closures before a long drive.

More: moving to Winston-Salem and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Is parking free in downtown Winston-Salem?

City on-street parking downtown is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and all weekend. The city’s surface lots at the Forsyth County Government Center and City Hall South are free outside 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend.

What airport is closest to Winston-Salem?

Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), 1000-A Ted Johnson Parkway in Greensboro, is the region’s commercial airport. Its main number is 336-665-5600.

How do I ride the bus in Winston-Salem?

The Winston-Salem Transit Authority runs the city’s buses from its hub at 100 W. Fifth St. Route maps, fares and detours are on wstransit.com; customer service is 336-727-2000.

What are the Salem Parkway exits downtown?

NCDOT lists Salem Parkway (US 421/US 158/NC 150) exits downtown including 232 (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive), 233A (South Main Street), 233B (Marshall and Cherry streets), 234A (Peters Creek Parkway) and 234B (First Street).

Can I take an intercity bus from Winston-Salem?

Yes. North Carolina’s intercity bus network stops at 100 W. Fifth St. Four state-subsidized routes serve the city: the High Country Gateway, Triad-Danville Connector, Piedmont Pass and Mid-State Express.