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5 cleaner spots within a 3-hour drive

Winston-Salem is breathing 5.9 cigarettes a week

18.6
PM2.5 µg/m³
69
AQI
5.1
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
See the 5 cleaner spots

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Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

Durham looks like the better move.46% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 40 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Winston-Salem Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Durham
Cel-shaded illustration of Durham
#1DurhamPM2.5 10.1~1 h 40 min drivesaves 2.7 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 10.1 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

46% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 10.1 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.1/22 × 7 = 3.2 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

46% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Charlotte
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlotte
#2CharlottePM2.5 13.8~1 h 30 min drivesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 13.8 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

26% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 13.8 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.8/22 × 7 = 4.4 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

26% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Greensboro
Cel-shaded illustration of Greensboro
#3GreensboroPM2.5 14.3~35 min drivesaves 1.4 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 14.3 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

23% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 14.3 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 14.3/22 × 7 = 4.5 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

23% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Boone
Cel-shaded illustration of Boone
#4BoonePM2.5 19.4~1 h 50 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 19.4 µg/m³

Blue Ridge college town near 3,300 feet in North Carolina's High Country, with cool mountain air and abundant lodging.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 19.4 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 19.4/22 × 7 = 6.2 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Wallburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Wallburg
#5WallburgParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Clemmons
Cel-shaded illustration of Clemmons
#6ClemmonsParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Kernersville
Cel-shaded illustration of Kernersville
#7KernersvilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Lewisville
Cel-shaded illustration of Lewisville
#8LewisvilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Rural Hall
Cel-shaded illustration of Rural Hall
#9Rural HallParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Midway
Cel-shaded illustration of Midway
#10MidwayParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Tobaccoville
Cel-shaded illustration of Tobaccoville
#11TobaccovilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Bermuda Run
Cel-shaded illustration of Bermuda Run
#12Bermuda RunParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 5.9 cigs/wk

North Carolina

North Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Raleigh
Cel-shaded illustration of Raleigh
#13RaleighPM2.5 10.5~2 h 5 min drivesaves 2.6 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 10.5 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

44% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 10.5 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.5/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

44% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Banner Elk
Cel-shaded illustration of Banner Elk
#14Banner ElkPM2.5 11.1Checking road routesaves 2.4 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 11.1 µg/m³

High-country ski town near 3,700 feet between Grandfather and Beech mountains, with cool alpine air.

40% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

40% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Asheville
Cel-shaded illustration of Asheville
#15AshevillePM2.5 12~2 h 50 min drivesaves 2.1 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 12 µg/m³

Blue Ridge mountain city with extensive lodging and higher-elevation air west of Charlotte.

35% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 12 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

35% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Lake Lure
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Lure
#16Lake LurePM2.5 12Checking road routesaves 2.1 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 12 µg/m³

Mountain-ringed lake resort in the Hickory Nut Gorge, with open-water air and lakeside lodges.

35% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 12 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

35% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Black Mountain
Cel-shaded illustration of Black Mountain
#17Black MountainPM2.5 12Checking road routesaves 2.1 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 12 µg/m³

Blue Ridge town just east of Asheville near 2,400 feet, with a walkable center and cool ridge air.

35% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 12 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

35% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Chincoteague
Cel-shaded illustration of Chincoteague
#18ChincoteaguePM2.5 5.1~7 h 50 min drivesaves 4.3 cigs/wk

Virginia· PM2.5 5.1 µg/m³

Barrier-island town beside Assateague's wild beaches on Virginia's Eastern Shore, wrapped by bay and ocean air with plentiful lodging.

73% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.1 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.1/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

13.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

73% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Nags Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Nags Head
#19Nags HeadPM2.5 5.5~6 h drivesaves 4.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on the barrier islands, exposed to constant Atlantic wind, with cottages and hotels along the shore.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

13.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Kill Devil Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Kill Devil Hills
#20Kill Devil HillsPM2.5 5.5~6 h 10 min drivesaves 4.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on a narrow Atlantic barrier island, swept by open-ocean wind, with oceanfront rentals and hotels.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 18.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

13.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Winston-Salem right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Winston-Salem

Oof.

5.9cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

18.6 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 18.6 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →