Origin
Charleston, SC
Afternoon in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
1:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charleston, SC to Hopkins, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
122.1 mi
196 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hopkins, SC
Job1505 De waal
Trip Overview
Charleston, SC to Hopkins, SC is 122.1 miles and takes about 2h 24m via I 26, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Southeast region, starting in South Carolina and ending in South Carolina. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward journey for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 122.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 26, which forms the backbone of this journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.9 miles on I 26, meaning you can settle in for a good period of consistent driving. While the majority is high-speed highway, the latter part of the drive may involve segments on Garners Ferry Road as you approach Hopkins.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 103.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and William Earle Berne Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near S-10-107 / Meeting Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 122.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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.
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.
7
106.4 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 77: Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 116
Toward I 77: Charlotte
8
114.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg Road
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 9A-B
Toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Roa...
10
114.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9 A
Toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumte...
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 Charleston, SC to Hopkins, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
114.9 mi in
|
~2h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 103.9 mi | 1h 54m |
| William Earle Berne Beltway | 5 mi | 6m |
| Garners Ferry Road | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Old Hopkins Road | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| Veterans Memorial Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Meeting Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Septima Clark Expressway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| King Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 103.9 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Hopkins, 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
104 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 116
Toward I 77: Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 77
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Memorial Freeway
11
Continue on I 77
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
William Earle Berne Beltway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 9A-B
Toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg Road
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 9 A
Toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 76; US 378
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Garners Ferry Road
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
255 ft
·
7 sec
16
Turn straight onto State Highway 222
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
State Highway 222
17
Continue on Old Hopkins Road
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Old Hopkins Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto Lower Richland Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Lower Richland Boulevard
19
Arrive at destination
Lower Richland Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just under 2.5 hours, this is a perfect route for a same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Charleston in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The fuel cost is estimated at $19, so ensure your tank is full before you head out. Since the longest stretch on I 26 is over 100 miles, plan for a brief stop for fuel or a quick break before or after this segment to keep your energy levels up.
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 61 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.9 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61 miles or 1h 10m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkins, 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 122.1 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Charleston, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 103.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61 mi from Charleston, SC · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61 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 103.9 miles.
Arriving in Hopkins, SC
The final approach into Hopkins, 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 Hopkins, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.09 one way
$38.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.88 | $41.75 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.60 | $45.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.68 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Hopkins, SC
Afternoon in Hopkins on Saturday
Local time
1:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Holly Hill, SC
61 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
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
2h 24m 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 Hopkins, SC covers 122.1 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, William Earle Berne Beltway, Garners Ferry 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 61 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 $19.09 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 122.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charleston, SC to Hopkins, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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