Origin
Charleston, SC
Evening in Charleston on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
120.9 mi
195 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Bank, SC
Arthur Shuraev
This 120.9-mile drive from Charleston, SC to Red Bank, SC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 91% of the journey on major roadways, making it an efficient way to travel within the Southeast region. Your estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19. With no recommended stops, this drive is designed for straightforward transit, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break it up overnight.
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
60.5 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 120.9-mile journey. You'll spend a significant 91% of your time on major roads, including I 26 and portions of Augusta Road. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 109 miles on I 26, indicating long periods of consistent speed and minimal turns. While Two Notch Road offers a slight variation, the overall profile is that of a direct, efficient drive rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Two Notch Road. 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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 11 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Coming Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1 South: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto Two Notch Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 109 mi | 2h |
| Two Notch Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| Augusta Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| South Lake Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Meeting Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Septima Clark Expressway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| King Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Coming Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Red Bank, SC.
Start on Broad Street
Turn right onto S-10-107
Turn left onto Calhoun Street
Turn right onto S-10-104
Turn left onto Spring Street
Turn right onto Coming Street
Turn right onto US 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26
Take the exit
Merge onto US 1
Turn left onto Kitti Wake Drive
Turn right onto Two Notch Road
Enter roundabout onto Two Notch Road
Continue on Two Notch Road
Turn left onto SC 6
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour and 21-minute duration, this route is perfect for a flexible day trip. You can depart Charleston at your leisure, knowing you'll arrive in Red Bank with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch of 109 miles on I 26 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach the Charleston area, especially if leaving during peak commuting hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $19, and plan for one quick fuel stop if needed, though none are officially recommended.
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.
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 60.5 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bank, SC than in the middle of the route.
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 120.9 miles and 2h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.5 mi from Charleston, SC · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 60.5 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 109 miles.
The final approach into Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, 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.
Regular Gas
$18.91 one way
$37.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.67 | $41.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.38 | $44.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.69 | $53.39 |
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: 42.3 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 | 36.3 | 0 | $12.69 | $5.80 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.58 | $4.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.93 | $7.74 |
Gas CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Charleston on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Red Bank on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
49°F
Brookdale, SC
60 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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