Origin
Charleston, SC
Late night in Charleston on Friday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
146.2 mi
235 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clearwater, SC
Jared Lung
Trip Overview
The drive from Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC covers 146.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, North Road, SC 394 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.1 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.86 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
73.1 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 146.2 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 (57%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The drive from Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC covers 146.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 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 66.1 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 near S-10-107 / Meeting Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 14 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 (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 14 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
|
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
68.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 154-A
Toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
4
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck / Whittaker Parkway
Turn right onto US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck / Whittaker Parkway
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 66.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| North Road | 16.3 mi | 24m |
| SC 394 | 15.2 mi | 24m |
| Wagener Road | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| Jefferson Davis Highway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Salley Road | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| Five Chop Road | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Richland Avenue West | 3.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 66.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Clearwater, 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
66 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 154-A
Toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
10
Merge onto US 301
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Five Chop Road
11
Turn right onto US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Whittaker Parkway
12
Continue on US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Chestnut Street
13
Continue on US 178
16 mi
·
24 min
·
North Road
14
Turn left onto SC 394
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Salley Road
15
Enter roundabout onto SC 394
146 ft
·
2 sec
·
SC 394
16
Continue on SC 394
15 mi
·
24 min
·
SC 394
17
At end of road, turn right onto SC 4
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Salley Road
18
Continue on SC 4; SC 302
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Wagener Road
19
Continue on US 78
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Richland Avenue East
20
Continue on US 1; US 78; SC 19
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Richland Avenue West
21
Continue on US 1; US 78
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Jefferson Davis Highway
22
Turn left onto SC 126
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Belvedere Road
23
Turn left onto SC 421
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
Augusta Road
24
Arrive at destination
SC 421
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 73.1 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.1 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.1 miles or 1h 25m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, 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 146.2 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 26 for about 66.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.1 mi from Charleston, SC · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.1 miles from Charleston, 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 66.1 miles.
Arriving in Clearwater, SC
The final approach into Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, 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
$22.86 one way
$45.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.06 | $54.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.28 | $64.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.35 | $7.02 |
| Efficient EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.79 | $5.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.47 | $9.36 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Clearwater, SC
Late night in Clearwater on Friday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°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
32 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 Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC covers 146.2 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, North Road, SC 394. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.1 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 $22.86 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 is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
The route from Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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