Trip from Anderson County Airport, SC to Isle of Palms, SC

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

240.1 mi

386 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

Downtown Isle of Palms, SC, SC

Photo: Junior Bastos

Trip Overview

The drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Isle of Palms, SC covers 240.1 miles and takes about 4h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, Golden Strip Freeway, Mark Clark Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 158.6 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.43 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

120.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 46m highway drive covering 240.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Golden Strip Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 158.6 miles on I 26.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 158.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Golden Strip Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.9 miles in near I 26.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 240.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 117.9 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
117.9 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | I 26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Charleston
8
220.8 mi into trip | ~4h 18m in

Take the exit toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 211A-B Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
8
221 mi into trip | ~4h 18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
9
221.4 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 211B Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
7
233.8 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in

Take the exit toward US 17 North: Georgetown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 29 Toward US 17 North: Georgetown

Towns Along This Route

Between Anderson County Airport, SC and Isle of Palms, SC, road signs point toward Charleston and Hanahan.

Charleston

117.9 mi in | ~2h 24m | via I 26

Hanahan

221 mi in | ~4h 18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 158.6 mi 2h 54m
Golden Strip Freeway 22.9 mi 24m
Mark Clark Expressway 10.8 mi 13m
Highway 418 9.9 mi 14m
Cooley Bridge Road 5.6 mi 8m
Belton Highway 4.7 mi 6m
Isle of Palms Connector 3.6 mi 5m
Highway 247 3.6 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 158.6 mi, about 2h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anderson County Airport, SC and Isle of Palms, SC.

1

Start on this road

293 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Airport Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Airport Road
3

Turn right onto SC 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Highway 24
4

Continue on SC 24

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Whitner Street
5

Turn right onto SC 28

2.2 mi · 2 min · Highway 28 Bypass
6

Continue on SC 28

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Pearman Dairy Road
7

Turn left onto US 29

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Murray Avenue
8

Turn right onto US 29

2.0 mi · 2 min · West Shockley Ferry Road
9

Turn right onto US 29; US 76; US 178

2.6 mi · 3 min · East River Street
10

Continue on US 76; US 178

4.7 mi · 6 min · Belton Highway
11

Continue on US 76; US 178

2.3 mi · 3 min · Anderson Street
12

Turn left onto SC 20

374 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
13

Turn right onto SC 247

1.3 mi · 2 min · River Street
14

Continue on SC 247

3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 247
15

Continue on SC 247

5.6 mi · 8 min · Cooley Bridge Road
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 25

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Augusta Road
17

Turn right onto SC 418

9.9 mi · 14 min · Highway 418
18

Continue on SC 418

1.3 mi · 2 min · Milacron Drive
19

Continue on SC 418

0.2 mi · 19 sec · McCarter Road
20

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
21

Merge onto I 385

23 mi · 24 min · Golden Strip Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 26

56 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 26
Use the none / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26

103 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 26
Toward Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 211A-B Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan Use the none lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 211B Toward Remount Road, Hanahan Use the slight right lane.
27

Turn left onto Remount Road

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Remount Road
28

Turn right onto US 52; US 78

0.8 mi · 1 min · Rivers Avenue
Use the none lane.
29

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Use the left lane.
30

Merge onto I 526

11 mi · 13 min · Mark Clark Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 29 Toward US 17 North: Georgetown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward Hungryneck
33

Continue on Hungry Neck Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Hungry Neck Boulevard
Use the none lane.
34

Turn right onto SC 517

3.6 mi · 5 min · Isle of Palms Connector
Use the right lane.
35

Turn right onto Palm Boulevard

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Palm Boulevard
Use the none lane.
36

Arrive at destination

SC 703

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.6 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 120.1 miles or 2h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Isle of Palms, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Anderson County Airport, 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 Anderson County Airport, SC

This is one driving day of about 240.1 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anderson County Airport, 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 26 for about 158.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120.1 mi from Anderson County Airport, SC · 2h 27m into the drive

Downtown Mauldin, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mauldin, SC

120 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

Mauldin, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Archdale, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.6 miles.

Arriving in Isle of Palms, SC

The final approach into Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms, SC.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.43 one way

$76.85 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $41.87 $83.73
premium $4.78 $45.17 $90.33
diesel $5.64 $53.34 $106.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72 0 $25.21 $11.52
Efficient EV 60 0 $21.01 $9.60
EV Truck/SUV 96 1 $33.61 $15.37

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Anderson County Airport, SC

Afternoon in Anderson County Airport on Sunday

Local time

12:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Isle of Palms, SC

Afternoon in Isle of Palms on Sunday

Local time

12:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Mauldin, SC

120 mi in

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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 46m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Isle of Palms, SC covers 240.1 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, Golden Strip Freeway, Mark Clark Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 240.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 117.9 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Anderson County Airport, SC and Isle of Palms, SC, road signs point toward Charleston and Hanahan.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Isle of Palms, SC to Anderson County Airport, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

240.1 mi 4h 45m

Explore more options from Anderson County Airport, SC or browse trips ending in Isle of Palms, SC.

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