The drive from Aiken, SC to Union, SC covers 122.3 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, Kershaw Highway, Kershaw Camden Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69.2 miles on I 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.2 miles from Aiken, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 122.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Aiken, SC to Union, SC covers 122.3 miles and takes about 2h 31m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 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 69.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 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 Effort5/10
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 122.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 77.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These 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.
8
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 601: Lugoff, Camden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 92
Toward US 601: Lugoff, Camden
10
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 601 North: Lugoff, Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Exit 92
Toward US 601 North: Lugoff, Camden
4
106.6 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 521 Business / Kershaw Camden Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 521 Business / Kershaw Camden Highway
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Aiken, SC to Union, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Camden along the way.
Camden
77.9 mi in|~1h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
69.2 mi
1h 19m
Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi
16m
Kershaw Camden Highway
8.9 mi
10m
Rocky River Road
7.7 mi
13m
Columbia Highway North
5.8 mi
6m
Main Street
3.1 mi
4m
Highway 601 South
2.5 mi
3m
Springdale Drive
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 69.2 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aiken, SC and Union, 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
69 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 92Toward US 601: Lugoff, CamdenUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
479 ft·11 sec
Exit 92Toward US 601 North: Lugoff, CamdenUse the left / right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto US 601
2.5 mi·3 min·Highway 601 South
11
Turn straight onto US 1; US 601
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
12
Continue on US 1; US 601; SC 34
0.6 mi·1 min·West DeKalb Street
13
Turn left onto US 521 Truck; US 601 Truck
2.3 mi·3 min·Springdale Drive
14
Continue on US 521 Truck; US 601 Truck
1.6 mi·2 min·Boykin Road
15
Turn left onto US 521; US 601
272 ft·3 sec·North Broad Street
16
Continue on US 521; US 601
14 mi·16 min·Kershaw Highway
17
Continue on US 521; US 601
2.7 mi·3 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
18
Continue on US 521; US 601
0.7 mi·48 sec·South Hampton Street
19
Turn left onto US 521; US 601
1.5 mi·1 min·South Matson Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 521 Business
4.8 mi·5 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
21
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi·55 sec·Spring Street
22
Turn right onto US 521
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
23
Continue on US 521; SC 522
1.4 mi·1 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
24
Turn slight right onto SC 522
7.7 mi·13 min·Rocky River Road
25
Enter roundabout
196 ft·3 sec
26
Continue
26 ft·0 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.2 miles from Aiken, SC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.2 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aiken, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aiken, SC
This is one driving day of about 122.3 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Aiken, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 69.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.2 mi from Aiken, SC
· 1h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 61.2 miles from Aiken, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.2 miles.
Arriving in Union, SC
The final approach into Union, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Union, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Congaree National Park
National Park
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 63.3
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.13 one way
$38.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.91
$41.82
premium
$4.70
$22.64
$45.27
diesel
$5.61
$27.00
$54.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
EV Truck/SUV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Aiken, SC
Morning
in Aiken on Friday
Local time
11:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union, SC
Morning
in Union on Friday
Local time
11:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
28 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
2h 31m 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 Union, SC covers 122.3 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Kershaw Highway, Kershaw Camden Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.2 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 $19.13 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 77.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Aiken, SC to Union, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Camden along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Congaree National Park.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
