Trip from Anderson, SC to Summerville, SC

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

205.4 mi

331 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 47m ★

6 AM

4h 0m

8 AM

4h 26m

10 AM

4h 9m

12 PM

4h 6m

3 PM

4h 10m

5 PM

4h 25m

8 PM

3h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Anderson, SC

HedMidia Notícias

Summerville, SC

Colon Freld

Trip Overview

The drive from Anderson, SC to Summerville, SC covers 205.4 miles and takes about 3h 59m 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, Highway 418 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.7 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.87 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

102.7 miles from Anderson, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 59m highway drive covering 205.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Golden Strip Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 146.7 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 22 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 146.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Golden Strip Freeway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 28 Business / South Main Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.4 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SC 28 Business / South Main Street

Turn left onto SC 28 Business / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

33.5 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway

Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

56.4 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

112.2 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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

203.1 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in

Take the exit toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 199A Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Anderson, SC to Summerville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Charleston

112.2 mi in | ~2h 16m | via I 26

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 26	146.7 mi	2h 40m
Golden Strip Freeway	22.9 mi	24m
Highway 418	9.9 mi	14m
Cooley Bridge Road	5.6 mi	8m
Belton Highway	4.7 mi	6m
East River Street	3.9 mi	5m
Highway 247	3.6 mi	4m
Anderson Street	2.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 26 — 146.7 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, SC and Summerville, SC.

Start on East Whitner Street

33 ft · 9 sec · East Whitner Street

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · South Main Street

Turn left onto East River Street

3.9 mi · 5 min · East River Street

Continue on Belton Highway

4.7 mi · 6 min · Belton Highway

Continue on Anderson Street

2.3 mi · 3 min · Anderson Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

374 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street

Turn right onto River Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · River Street

Continue on Highway 247

3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 247

Continue on Cooley Bridge Road

5.6 mi · 8 min · Cooley Bridge Road

At the end of the road, turn left onto Augusta Road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Augusta Road

Turn right onto Highway 418

9.9 mi · 14 min · Highway 418

Continue on Milacron Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Milacron Drive

Continue on McCarter Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · McCarter Road

Take the ramp right

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Merge slight left onto Golden Strip Freeway

23 mi · 24 min · Golden Strip Freeway

Merge slight left

56 mi · 1 hr 1 min

Keep slight right to continue on Charleston

91 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Charleston

Take the exit slight right toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

0.3 mi · 35 sec · US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

Turn straight onto North Main Street

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

115 ft · 5 sec · East Richardson Avenue

Turn right

92 ft · 7 sec

Arrive at your destination

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 102.7 miles from Anderson, SC, or about 2h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.7 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 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 102.7 miles or 2h 6m 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 17m

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

Before You Leave

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 205.4 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anderson, 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 146.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 102.7 mi from Anderson, SC · 2h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mauldin, SC

103 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

Inman Mills, SC

Fuel and coffee

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

Belmont, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102.7 miles from Anderson, 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 146.7 miles.

Arriving in Summerville, SC

The final approach into Summerville, 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 Summerville, 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.

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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 134.6

Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions

Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction

View on nps.gov

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $10 near mile 205.4

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.87 one way

$65.74 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$35.82	$71.63
premium	$4.78	$38.64	$77.28
diesel	$5.64	$45.63	$91.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61.6	0	$21.57	$9.86
Efficient EV	51.4	0	$17.97	$8.22
EV Truck/SUV	82.2	1	$28.76	$13.15

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Anderson, SC

Morning in Anderson on Monday

Local time

7:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Summerville, SC

Morning in Summerville on Monday

Local time

7:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°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

2 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

3h 59m 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 Anderson, SC to Summerville, SC covers 205.4 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 26, Golden Strip Freeway, Highway 418. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 102.7 miles from Anderson, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.87 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Anderson, SC to Summerville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

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Trip from Anderson, SC to Summerville, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Summerville, SC

National Parks Near This Route

Congaree National Park

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Anderson, SC

Summerville, SC

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 59m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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