Origin
Aiken, SC
Morning in Aiken on Friday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aiken, SC to Saint Andrews, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
52.3 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aiken, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Andrews, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 52.3-mile journey from Aiken, SC, to Saint Andrews, SC, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 2 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on I-20 and Columbia Highway North, with a small portion on York Street Northeast. Given its short duration and focus on major roads, it's an efficient way to cover the distance within South Carolina. The estimated fuel cost is around $8, which is quite economical for this trip. This route offers a practical, no-frills transit between two points in the Southeast region.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 52.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.7 miles on I-20, which means you'll experience sustained highway speeds for a significant portion of your travel. While mostly on interstates, the inclusion of Columbia Highway North and York Street Northeast may introduce some variations in speed and traffic flow as you approach your destination. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
541 ft
257 ft
Total Climb
386 ft
Total Descent
594 ft
Highest Point
541 ft
~33.6 mi in
Elevation Range
284 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Columbia Highway North. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.3 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 8.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East
Turn right onto US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East
Navigation decision point
5
8.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
50.4 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward I 26 West: Spartanburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West: Spartanburg
7
51.1 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106B
Toward Saint Andrews Road East
4
52.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
Whiteford Road
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 41.7 mi | 47m |
| Columbia Highway North | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| York Street Northeast | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Saint Andrews Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 26 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Chesterfield Street South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Broad River Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Richland Avenue East | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 41.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aiken, SC and Saint Andrews, SC.
1
Start on SC 19
387 ft
·
13 sec
·
Chesterfield Street South
2
Continue on SC 19
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Chesterfield Street South
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 78
357 ft
·
8 sec
·
Richland Avenue East
4
Turn left onto US 1
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
York Street Northeast
5
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Columbia Highway North
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
42 mi
·
47 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West: Spartanburg
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 26; US 76
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 26; US 76
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 106B
Toward Saint Andrews Road East
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Saint Andrews Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Andrews Road
12
Turn right onto US 176
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Broad River Road
13
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
276 ft
·
12 sec
·
Whiteford Road
14
Arrive at destination
Whiteford Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.1 mi from Aiken, SC · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Aiken, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint Andrews, SC
The final approach into Saint Andrews, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.18 one way
$16.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.94 | $17.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.68 | $19.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.55 | $23.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.58 | $2.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Saint Andrews, SC
Morning in Saint Andrews on Friday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Aiken, SC to Saint Andrews, SC covers 52.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Columbia Highway North, York Street Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.1 miles from Aiken, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.3 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 8.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Aiken, SC to Saint Andrews, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 257 ft to 541 ft elevation with about 386 ft of total climbing.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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