Trip from Charleston, SC to Bennettsville, SC

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

168.3 mi

271 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m

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

Downtown Bennettsville, SC, SC

Bennettsville, SC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Charleston, SC to Bennettsville, SC covers 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, I 26, North Governor Williams Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.9 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.93 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

84.1 miles from Charleston, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 16m highway drive covering 168.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 26. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.9 miles on I 95.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 77.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

167 ft 11 ft

Total Climb

347 ft

Total Descent

201 ft

Highest Point

167 ft

~154.3 mi in

Elevation Range

157 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near S-10-107 / Meeting Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | S-10-107 / Meeting Street

Turn right onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | Coming Street

Turn right onto Coming Street

Navigation decision point

6
2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 26

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
53.8 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 169B Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
54.6 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

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

Darlington

132.5 mi in | ~2h 29m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 77.9 mi 1h 24m
I 26 51.4 mi 58m
North Governor Williams Highway 16.3 mi 19m
Main Street 12.3 mi 17m
South Main Street 3.4 mi 3m
West Main Street 1.9 mi 3m
West Lucas Street 1.5 mi 1m
Meeting Street 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 77.9 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Bennettsville, SC.

1

Start on Broad Street

40 ft · 5 sec · Broad Street
2

Turn right onto S-10-107

0.7 mi · 1 min · Meeting Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto Calhoun Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Calhoun Street
4

Turn right onto S-10-104

0.6 mi · 1 min · King Street
5

Turn left onto Spring Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Spring Street
6

Turn right onto Coming Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Coming Street
7

Turn right onto US 17

0.6 mi · 1 min · Septima Clark Expressway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 26

51 mi · 58 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 169B Toward I 95 North: Florence
10

Merge onto I 95

78 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward US 52: Florence, Darlington
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
13

Merge onto US 52

1.5 mi · 1 min · West Lucas Street
14

Continue on US 52

3.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
15

Continue on US 52

16 mi · 19 min · North Governor Williams Highway
16

Continue on US 15; US 52; US 401

12 mi · 17 min · Main Street
17

Turn slight left onto SC 385

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
18

Turn left onto North Liberty Street

330 ft · 17 sec · North Liberty Street
19

Turn right onto West Market Street

254 ft · 11 sec · West Market Street
20

Arrive at destination

West Market Street

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 84.1 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.9 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 36m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Charleston, 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 Charleston, SC

This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charleston, 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 95 for about 77.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.1 mi from Charleston, SC · 1h 37m into the drive

Downtown Charlotte, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

84 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Charleston, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.9 miles.

Arriving in Bennettsville, SC

The final approach into Bennettsville, 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 Bennettsville, 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

$26.93 one way

$53.87 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $29.35 $58.69
premium $4.78 $31.66 $63.32
diesel $5.64 $37.39 $74.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.5 0 $17.67 $8.08
Efficient EV 42.1 0 $14.73 $6.73
EV Truck/SUV 67.3 0 $23.56 $10.77

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast data refreshed 15 hours ago

Origin

Charleston, SC

Afternoon in Charleston on Sunday

Local time

4:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Clear

S 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bennettsville, SC

Afternoon in Bennettsville on Sunday

Local time

4:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Clear

E 2 mph 0% chance 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

3 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

3h 16m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Charleston, SC to Bennettsville, SC covers 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 26, North Governor Williams Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.1 miles from Charleston, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.93 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 168.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charleston, SC to Bennettsville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Darlington along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 11 ft to 167 ft elevation with about 347 ft of total climbing.

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