Origin
Barnwell, SC
Evening in Barnwell on Tuesday
Local time
8:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Barnwell, SC to North Charleston, SC
Data updated 2 minutes ago
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
109.2 mi
176 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barnwell, SC
Wikimedia Commons
North Charleston, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 109.2-mile drive from Barnwell, SC, to North Charleston, SC, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-26, with segments on Bamberg Road and Denmark Road contributing to the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this 109.2-mile trip is around $17, making it an economical option for a short excursion within the Southeast region. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
54.6 miles from Barnwell, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The character of this drive is largely defined by its 60% highway share, with I-26 forming the backbone of your journey. You'll experience a longest stretch of 60.7 miles on I-26, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the route utilizes major roadways, expect some transitions onto local roads like Bamberg Road and Denmark Road. This mixed drive profile means you'll have periods of faster travel interspersed with potentially slower segments as you navigate through different types of terrain and communities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 60.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (SC 3 / Marlboro Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.3 miles (US 78 / Heritage Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
At end of road, turn left
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 3 / Marlboro Avenue
Turn right onto SC 3 / Marlboro Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
14.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 78 / Heritage Highway
Turn right onto US 78 / Heritage Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
47.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
107.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward SC 642: Dorchester Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 215
Toward SC 642: Dorchester Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 60.7 mi | 1h 7m |
| Bamberg Road | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| Denmark Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Heritage Highway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Five Chop Road | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| SC 70 | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Main Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| John C Calhoun Drive | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 60.7 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barnwell, SC and North Charleston, SC.
1
Start on this road
220 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left
69 ft
·
7 sec
3
Turn right onto SC 3
246 ft
·
9 sec
·
Marlboro Avenue
4
Turn right onto SC 70
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Allen Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto SC 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on SC 70
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
SC 70
7
Continue on SC 70
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Denmark Road
8
Continue on SC 70
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Hagood Street
9
Turn left onto US 321; SC 70
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Carolina Highway
10
Turn right onto US 78
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Heritage Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 301; US 601
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Highway
12
Continue on US 301; US 601
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Bamberg Road
13
Continue on US 301; US 601; SC 4
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Edisto Drive
14
Continue on US 301; US 601; SC 4
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
John C Calhoun Drive
15
Turn right onto US 301
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Five Chop Road
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
17
Merge onto I 26
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 215
Toward SC 642: Dorchester Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto SC 642
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dorchester Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto US 52; US 78
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Rivers Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
US 52; US 78
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 109.2-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive in North Charleston with ample time to settle in. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, especially during the 60.7-mile stretch on I-26. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $17 for the journey, and ensure you're topped off before setting out. A practical tip: be aware that the transition from I-26 to local roads can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns, so stay alert during these shifts.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.6 miles from Barnwell, SC, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.7 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barnwell, 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 Barnwell, SC
This is one driving day of about 109.2 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Barnwell, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 60.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.6 mi from Barnwell, SC · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.6 miles from Barnwell, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.7 miles.
Arriving in North Charleston, SC
The final approach into North 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 North Charleston, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.08 one way
$34.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.67 | $37.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.21 | $40.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.11 | $48.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.47 | $5.24 |
| Efficient EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.56 | $4.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.29 | $6.99 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
North Charleston, SC
Evening in North Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
8:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
25 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
2h 19m 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 Barnwell, SC to North Charleston, SC covers 109.2 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, Bamberg Road, Denmark Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.6 miles from Barnwell, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.08 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 is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (SC 3 / Marlboro Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.3 miles (US 78 / Heritage Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Barnwell, SC to North Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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