Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
237.3 mi
382 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Connor Scott McManus
The drive from Anderson, SC to Charleston, SC covers 237.3 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Main Street, East River Street, Belton Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.98 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
118.7 miles from Anderson, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 51m drive with frequent turns across 237.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 51m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Anderson, SC to Charleston, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East River Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belton Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Anderson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| River Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 247 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cooley Bridge Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, SC and Charleston, SC.
Start on East Whitner Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn left onto East River Street
Continue on Belton Highway
Continue on Anderson Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Turn right onto River Street
Continue on Highway 247
Continue on Cooley Bridge Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Augusta Road
Turn right onto Highway 418
Continue on Milacron Drive
Continue on McCarter Road
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left onto Golden Strip Freeway
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on Charleston
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
Turn right onto Meeting Street
Turn left onto Broad Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.7 miles or 1h 55m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Anderson, 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, SC
This is one driving day of about 237.3 miles and 3h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.7 mi from Anderson, SC · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 118.7 miles from Anderson, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Charleston, 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 Charleston, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.98 one way
$75.95 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $41.38 | $82.76 |
| premium | $4.78 | $44.64 | $89.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.72 | $105.44 |
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: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.92 | $11.39 |
| Efficient EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.76 | $9.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.22 | $15.19 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Anderson on Saturday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
63°F
Archdale, NC
119 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Anderson, SC or browse trips ending in Charleston, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
Explore maps for Anderson, SC or Charleston, SC on MapSof.net.
