This 161.5-mile drive from Beaufort, SC, to Rock Hill, SC, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 14 minutes. Primarily using I-95 and I-26, with a portion on Monticello Road, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it's an economical option for traversing South Carolina. The journey is designed for efficiency, getting you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast with minimal fuss.
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
80.8 miles from Beaufort, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 161.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect an 88% highway experience on this route, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.1 miles on I-26, offering a good opportunity to settle in. While largely a highway-focused drive, the inclusion of Monticello Road suggests a brief transition to potentially more local or varied road conditions before reaching your destination. This profile indicates a drive prioritizing speed and directness.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 61.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.6 miles in near US 21.
Driving Effort6/10
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 161.5 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 15.6 miles (US 21): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 76.9 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
15.6 mi into trip|~20m in|US 21
Enter roundabout onto US 21
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
23.8 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
138 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
8
142.1 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward SC 215: Monticello Road, Jenkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68
Toward SC 215: Monticello Road, Jenkinsville
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 Beaufort, SC to Rock Hill, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Jenkinsville along the way.
Jenkinsville
142.1 mi in|~2h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
61.1 mi
1h 5m
I 95
52.4 mi
56m
Monticello Road
12.8 mi
22m
Trask Parkway
12 mi
14m
US 21
6.9 mi
8m
State Highway 215S
6.4 mi
11m
I 20
3.7 mi
4m
Boundary Street
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaufort, SC and Rock Hill, SC.
1
Start on Port Republic Street
39 ft·3 sec·Port Republic Street
2
Turn right onto US 21 Business
0.5 mi·48 sec·Carteret Street
3
Continue on US 21 Business
3.0 mi·4 min·Boundary Street
4
Continue on US 21
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
5
Enter roundabout onto US 21
221 ft·3 sec·US 21
6
Continue on US 21
6.8 mi·8 min·US 21
7
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Florence
9
Merge onto I 95
52 mi·56 min·I 95
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
11
Merge onto I 26
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 20
3.7 mi·4 min·I 20
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 68Toward SC 215: Monticello Road, JenkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto SC 215
11 mi·18 min·Monticello Road
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SC 215
2.1 mi·3 min·Monticello Road
17
Continue on SC 215
6.4 mi·11 min·State Highway 215S
18
Arrive at destination
SC 215
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over three hours, this trip is best suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Beaufort to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Rock Hill area. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch on I-26 means you can cover significant ground before needing to plan for fuel or a break, so aim to refuel before entering that longer segment if your tank is low.
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 80.8 miles from Beaufort, SC, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 33m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Hill, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, SC
This is one driving day of about 161.5 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Beaufort, 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 61.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.8 mi from Beaufort, SC
· 1h 33m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 111.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.26 one way
$50.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.61
$55.23
premium
$4.70
$29.89
$59.78
diesel
$5.61
$35.66
$71.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.4
0
$16.96
$7.75
Efficient EV
40.4
0
$14.13
$6.46
EV Truck/SUV
64.6
0
$22.61
$10.34
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Beaufort, SC
Afternoon
in Beaufort on Friday
Local time
1:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rock Hill, SC
Afternoon
in Rock Hill on Friday
Local time
1:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookdale, SC
81 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
18 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 14m 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 Beaufort, SC to Rock Hill, SC covers 161.5 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 95, Monticello Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.8 miles from Beaufort, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.26 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.5 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 15.6 miles (US 21): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 76.9 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Beaufort, SC to Rock Hill, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Jenkinsville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and 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.
